Effect of shelter on reproduction, growth and longevity of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

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2011
Author
Gemeno Marín, César
Williams, Gregory M.
Schal, Coby
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Gemeno Marín, César; Williams, Gregory M.; Schal, Coby; . (2011) . Effect of shelter on reproduction, growth and longevity of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). European Journal of Entomology, 2011, vol. 108, p. 205-210. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2011.028.
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Abstract
German cockroaches spend most of the day in aggregations within shelters, which they leave in nocturnal foraging trips; cockroaches are rarely seen outside shelters during daylight hours. However, when population density exceeds shelter availability, diurnal aggregations form in exposed, unsheltered
locations. To determine if shelter availability affects fitness of B. germanica, we reared cohorts of nymphs in laboratory arenas with or without shelters, and measured reproduction and longevity of tagged adults. When shelters were available in arenas, nymphs developed faster, adults gained more body mass, and females produced more fertile oothecae than when arenas lacked shelters. Therefore, shelter alone has a significant positive effect on growth and reproduction of B. germanica, and reducing or eliminating shelters should affect population growth of B. germanica in residential and industrial settings.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/59218
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2011.028
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European Journal of Entomology, 2011, vol. 108, p. 205-210
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cc-by (c) Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Entomology of the Biology Centre, 2011
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as cc-by (c) Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Entomology of the Biology Centre, 2011