Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
(Gromphadorhina portentosa)
Order: Dictyoptera or Blattodea
Family: Blattidae or Blaberidae
Genus: Gromphadorhina
Species: Gromphadorhina portentosa
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
They live on or right above the forest
floor, in dead and decaying vegetation.
They are only found native in
Madagascar. |
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
These insects have very thin, flattened
bodies and sharp feet, which help them
climb in and out of cracks and crevices.
They use their antennae and cerci, which
are two appendages that projects from
the tip of the abdomento, give them an
excellent sense of touch. They are able
to detect movement of less than
one-millionth of a millimeter, which
allows them to detect an intruder long
before it comes near. Their sight is a
secondary defense. |
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ADAPTATIONS:
They are nocturnal animals, coming out
at night to forage and they are most
active after an evening rainfall. Males
tend to be aggressive towards one
another, charging and ramming each other
with their shields. This sets up a
hierarchy based on dominance. Both males
and females hiss when they are
disturbed. |
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DIET:
They are omnivorous and will eat living
or dead material. Madagascar Hissing
Cockroaches primarily eat fallen fruit
and fungi. At the Zoo they are fed
various pieces of produce and canned
primate diet. |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches reach
maturity at 9 months. Males will hiss
when trying to attract a female. The
hissing is done by forcing air through
the second pair of abdominal spiracles.
Hissing is so important to the courtship
that if a male is prevented from
hissing, the female will not mate with
him. The eggs are carried by the female
in an ootheca, which looks very much
like a purse. It can also be hidden on
the ground or in the trees to protect
the young from predators. The young
nymphs look similar to the adult. The
insect molts in order to grow.
Immediately after molting, the roach is
creamy white and will turn brown after
several hours. |
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STATUS IN WILD:
Cockroaches have been common in the wild
since the Carboniferous period, 300
million years ago. They are opportunists
and will eat just about anything,
allowing them to adapt very easily. |
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ECOLOGICAL
ROLE: Since Madagascar Hissing
Cockroaches consume dead plant and
animal material which has fallen to the
forest floor, they are very important
detritivores, beginning the process of
decay. |
