Comparison of Developmental Rates of Two Separate Populations of Periplaneta fuliginosa (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) and Equations Describing Development, Preoviposition, and Oviposition

Abstract

Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville) were collected from Clemson, SC, in the Piedmont region, and Charleston, SC, in the coastal region. Maximal developmental rates of eggs and number of nymphs emerging from oothecae hatching at five temperature increments (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C) were recorded in the laboratory for each population. Developmental rates were also recorded for the first male and female to mature from 1-d-old nymphs hatched from the same ootheca. For first females, preoviposition (time to first ootheca) and oviposition rates, egg developmental rate, and number of nymphs emerged were recorded. Between 20 and 30°C, coastal nymphs developed 5% faster than Piedmont nymphs. At 15°C, only eight cockroaches reached adulthood after 56 mo. Oviposition and preoviposition rates of the coastal population were about 25% faster. Biologically these differences appear insignificant because they are less than variation in literature values. From data pooled from this experiment and the literature, coefficients of the Sharpe-DeMichele developmental rate model were calculated for egg and nymphal development, preoviposition, and oviposition. The regressions had high r 2 values and provide a quantitative basis for understanding population processes in this insect.