Big black cockroaches. Black cockroaches: where they come from and how to get rid of them
The rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros) is the largest of its species. You will definitely not be able to meet such an insect in your apartment, and even more so when meeting with it, you should not order the destruction of bedbugs and cockroaches on pestaway.ru. Want to know everything about the biggest cockroach on the planet? Then read this article carefully.
Appearance
An adult cockroach can have a body length of up to 9 centimeters and a weight of up to 35 grams. As mentioned above, the rhinoceros cockroach is one of the most rare representatives of its species and is often kept in captivity.
From distinctive features appearance, one can note the fact that such cockroaches are very similar to beetles, and their body has a burgundy color that glistens in the sun. Insects do not have wings, and their legs are covered with massive spikes. The differences between females and males lie in the presence of an additional segment on the abdomen of the latter.
Habitat
On the this moment such cockroaches live only in northern Queensland (Australia). More precisely, only there they exist in wild nature, while in captivity these insects can be found all over the world.
Due to the hot climate of Australia, cockroaches are forced to live in deep burrows where they spend most of the day. They feed on fallen eucalyptus leaves, which contain all the substances necessary for survival.
reproduction
Females have a special genital pouch where eggs develop. In one year, the female is able to bring about 20 - 40 masks. Interestingly, unlike other insects, rhinoceros cockroaches develop quite slowly and the full maturation of the individual occurs somewhere in the fourth year of life. These insects live about 7 - 10 years.
Rhinoceros cockroaches do not show any aggression towards people and are distinguished by an extremely calm disposition. If you stroke them on the body, you can hear a soft, slightly hissing sound.
Due to the structural features of the body, cockroaches cannot crawl on glass, so a small terrarium that can be kept open is suitable for keeping them, since they will not be able to get out of it with all their desire. Most often, cockroaches are kept in small groups of 4 to 8 individuals.
At the bottom of the insect dwelling, at least 5–7 centimeters of sand or other substrate should be poured. This will allow the cockroaches to dig through the burrows. If we talk about lighting, then a fluorescent lamp is enough to organize it. Remember - sunlight is contraindicated for cockroaches, but the temperature in the terrarium should be at the level of 24 - 28 degrees Celsius with a humidity level of 60 - 80%.
What to feed cockroaches? It's simple - the abodes of the terrarium will happily adapt to vegetables and fruits.
As they say - they don't argue about tastes, the more difficult it is to argue about your favorite pets. In almost every person, the appearance of a cockroach's house causes the first reaction - it must be destroyed. But there are quite a few people who keep these exotic pets in their terrariums. Of course, these are not well-known Prussians, but the real guests from the islands of Madagascar - the most big cockroaches in the world.
A little about cockroaches
The animal kingdom is represented by the most unusual representatives, the vast majority of them belong to the class of insects, among which cockroaches are far from the smallest order. Modern researchers have described more than 7570 species from this order. Archaeologists are not aware of deposits where animal fossils are found and cockroaches are not found. It seems that they have always existed and will exist forever. Their adaptability to external conditions just amazing.
All representatives of this order are characterized by a flat, elongated, oval body. The sizes of babies are 1.7 cm, and those exceeding 9.5 cm are the largest cockroaches. The description of these insects is always accompanied by a mention that they are one of the most hardy insects, able to tolerate radiation, 15 times the lethal dose for humans. At the same time, they love moisture with warmth. Most species have wings and are able to fly, but there are wingless cockroaches.
Madagascar giants
It is to the wingless species that representatives of the genus Gromphadorhina belong, who have chosen the tropical forests of Madagascar for their residence. The body length of an adult insect reaches 90 mm or more, weight reaches 60 grams. It's in vivo habitat. At favorable conditions terrarium in the absence of danger, their size can be much larger. Madagascarians are considered the largest in the world.
Hissing cockroaches, as they are called, are exclusively vegetarians. They feed on rotten fruits and mushrooms.
tiger cockroach
Among admirers of cockroaches, handsome men are well known for their wasp-like color. It is not for nothing that these one of the largest cockroaches are called tiger cockroaches for their characteristic striped back, in Latin Gromphadorhina grandidieri. Nice look for home keeping. The striped back is complemented by a black breast and decorated with red spots. There are absolutely black individuals, which, for their coloration, are distinguished as a separate variety of G. grandidieri black. Such individuals live up to 5 years. Pets are happy to eat all kinds of juicy fruits and vegetables, love lettuce leaves. Feel good when eating dog food and boiled protein chicken egg. It is better to keep a pair - a male and a female.
Hissing insects
Gromphadorhina portentosa may not be as beautiful as the brindle, but it was he who gave the name to the whole genus with his ability to whistle. Adults have a classic Brown color body with a dark head. This biggest cockroach in the world is a real movie star. It is enough to recall such cult films as "Men in Black", the comedy "Problem Child - 2", the series "C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation New York" to recognize his fame. The food does not differ from the menu of the tiger fellow. You can sometimes feed porridge, especially with pleasure they eat oatmeal, like real aristocrats. Lives for about 3 years.
widehorn mute
The species Gromphadorhina oblongonota differs from the two previously described by an outgrowth on the bridge of the nose, found only in males. This insect can no doubt be called the largest cockroach in the world. It surpasses even its Madagascar relatives in size. Not only bigger, but hissing louder. Unfortunately, they breed much more slowly than their counterparts. Therefore, they are much less common among home collections. In adults, ticks can be observed, but they are completely harmless to humans and other animals. Ticks live only in absolute symbiosis with their donor and are not able to change their host.
Features of keeping domestic giants
Under natural conditions, Madagascar cockroaches live in a humid tropical climate. Not being able to fly, they are constantly on the plant litter and hide under the foliage or the remains of the bark from possible enemies. Considering how the largest cockroaches in the world live, it is worth creating an insectarium microclimate. Insects will thrive in any large enough tank, but following conditions.
- It is necessary to isolate the cockroach from the possibility of getting out. It is worth covering the aquarium ¾ with glass and about ¼ with a fine mesh. This will leave room for ventilation, make it possible to feed pets.
- The bottom is covered with a mixture of peat, sand and coconut substrate. For shelter, you can use pieces of birch bark. Be sure to place a few large branches so that the pets can feel at home.
- The substrate is always kept wet. To do this, it is convenient to use a spray gun with a fine cloud.
- With the help of an infrared emitter for terrariums, the temperature is maintained at 25-30 °C.
- As a humidifier, you can buy any electronic device Or use the incubator baths. Humidity is kept at 60-70%.
- It is useful to use a fan to evenly distribute moist air throughout the volume and adjust it.
Cockroaches are unpretentious guests, if normal conditions are created, then it will be possible to observe new pets very quickly.
In the house, many people are disgusted, and sometimes even terrified. But there are also enthusiasts who keep insects as pets. However, in this case, we are not talking about the usual for us, but about a representative from Madagascar. This is the largest cockroach in the world, which has an original appearance and size. He is unpretentious in food and does not spread bad smell, unobtrusive and quite calm. Elementary conditions of detention are the main advantage of breeding this insect.
Peculiarities
The world's largest cockroach -. Biologists have more than 20 subspecies of such insects. The giant cockroach has no wings. In light or dark brown tones, the body of an insect can be up to 10 cm long (for comparison, the smallest cockroach in the world grows up to 1 cm). The nymphs of the largest cockroach are very similar to adults, their hallmark is a softer shell.
Interesting!
In addition to their size, giants have another feature - the ability to make hissing sounds. Large insects use them to scare off enemies or during the mating season, when males fight for a female.
The male and female of the large Madagascar cockroach differ externally in the following ways:
- males are slightly smaller than females;
- abdominal segments. The male has only one segment of a dark color, the female has a black color with the last two segments;
- the female has a wider abdomen;
- whiskers - in females they are more even and well-groomed, in males they are twisted and often broken.
The average life expectancy of large cockroaches is 1-2 years. In captivity, they are able to live 2 times longer. The habitat of huge exotic insects are trees, where they make nests in secluded places. Leaves and fruits serve as food for giants. Insects also feed on the rotting remains of berries and green plants.
What kind of life do insects lead
reproduction
The world's largest cockroaches are the only viviparous species of insects. The male attracts the attention of the female with the help of whiskers, which act as the main pheromone receptors. Therefore, during the battle, rivals try to break precisely these “horns”. After mating, the female carries her offspring in her abdomen. After 2 months, from 20 to 50 pieces of small white larvae appear, the size of which does not exceed 5 mm. During the first days of life, their cover hardens and acquires the usual color.
Interesting!
Females are very caring about their offspring, which is quite rare among insects. The first few days the mother is near the newborn, protecting them. Scientists have noticed that in moments of danger, a female protecting her offspring hisses much more often than her relatives. After a while, already accustomed larvae spread in different directions.
In the process of growth, young offspring undergo several molts, the last of which occurs 5-6 months after birth. The cockroach does not shed the chitinous cover anymore, as it is already an adult.
It is insects that have the most high level adaptability to conditions environment. And speaking specifically about cockroaches, they are completely able to adapt and live in conditions of serious chemical pollution. What can I say, cockroaches can easily survive a nuclear explosion!
These pests disgust even the most persistent people, especially if they are found in own house. However, there is a species of cockroaches that is completely harmless to humans; it is often elevated to the rank of a full-fledged pet.
What is the largest cockroach in the world?
Gromphadorhina Portentosa - this is the name of the largest cockroach in the world. You can meet them in the wild only in one place - on the island of Madagascar, this is their homeland. But, of course, such cockroaches are common throughout the world, although they live there only in terrariums.
The length of the body of this insect reaches 6 cm, and the males are smaller than the females. There are also exceptions to the rule, ideal conditions habitat and sufficient food, such cockroaches can grow up to 10 centimeters.
These huge insects live no more than two years, but if placed in captivity, they can live much longer: up to five years. If the red cockroaches we know are accustomed to living in huge colonies in damp corners and under furniture, then their large counterparts have chosen tree branches as their home. They feed on fruits and leaves.
Features of large cockroaches
The main feature of the Madagascar cockroach, namely, it is the largest cockroach in the world, is that it is able to reproduce rather unusual hissing sounds. This is necessary for them in order to influence rivals during the mating season. Simply put, hissing helps fight for the female. The sound itself is extracted by contracting the cockroach's abdomen, which causes air to escape through the spiracles.
Madagascar cockroaches do not hatch from eggs like regular cockroaches do. Females are viviparous, after mating, the process of bearing offspring begins, which lasts several months, after which about 40 live cockroaches appear. After just a couple of hours, they turn from pale to brown.
In the process of their development, small Madagascar cockroaches molt about 6 times, with the last molt occurring in the sixth month of their life. After that, the cockroach is considered an adult.
The largest cockroach is an animal of a certain species, which has a length of about 8 centimeters. An insect is found in the world, mainly in European countries. Pests also live in some regions of Africa and Asia. The cockroach of this species prefers to live close to humans.
At the same time, as their path, cockroaches use ventilation. It is easy to bring pests into your home on your own clothes or things after you have visited where they live. Barbels can also be in the apartment with fruits and vegetables brought from the store.
Appearance
In addition to their huge size, black cockroaches have some other features. appearance. Thus, the body color of the pest is not red, but tar-black or black-brown, giving off a metallic sheen. On the head of the insect, in addition to the whiskers, there are hairs. The animal is not capable of flying, but it runs very fast.
The main difference between individuals of different sexes is the size of their elytra. In males, this organ is shorter than the abdomen, while in females it covers the body completely.
The cockroach usually consumes garbage and food waste. In the event of a shortage of this product, the pest can consume cloth, soap, paper, and even fellows. Cannibalism is not uncommon among this animal species. The creature usually does not bite a person. However, owners of delicate skin, in particular children, may have bite marks around the lips and on the fingers in the morning.
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A small video featuring a specimen of a large black cockroach Blatta orientalis, which sometimes also lives in our apartments.
Lifestyle
reproduction
For the whole life cycle the female black cockroach lays two or three capsules of 16 eggs each. After 40 days, young individuals appear from them.
Harm
As you know, cockroaches spoil food and things. However, in addition to this, all of them, and blacks especially, are distributors of typhoid fever, diphtheria, dysentery and worms. They carry pathogenic bacteria and helminth eggs on their paws and belly and easily leave them on dishes, food, and the table. This usually happens during their nightly "walks" around the apartment. Therefore, sloppy people can easily pick up all these ailments.
How to fight
Since ancient times, our ancestors fought insects folk methods: laid out bay leaves, elderberry color, boric acid with egg yolk. The use of these methods is based on the dislike of cockroaches for pungent pungent odors. However, practice confirms the low effectiveness of these methods of struggle.
Other means of war against pests: traps, labyrinths, dusts and crayons that destroy enemies with toxic fumes.
Most effective method pest control gels. From special plastic syringes, the substance is squeezed onto paper or a special stand. The smell and taste of the gel attracts cockroaches and eat it. And then they die en masse. The most popular means of such an action are "Dohlox", "FAS", "Komabat", "Storm", "Global", "Raptor", " Clean house", "Clean house". Such products are safe for humans.
So, black cockroaches usually pose a danger to humans to a greater extent than the Prussians.
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