Food Detection and Feeding Behavior of Three Species of Household Cockroaches, Blatella germanica (L.), Periplaneta americana (L.), and Supella longipalpa (F.)

Abstract

German cockroaches (Blatella germanica L.), American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana L.,) and brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipapla F.) are the most important urban insect pests. The food detection and feeding behavior of these cockroaches are varied and depend on different factors. German cockroach starts feeding between 7:00–10:00 pm and 4:00–5:00 am, whereas the American cockroach starts within the first few hours of darkness followed by an inactive period in the latter part, and throughout the light period. The calling in females of brown-banded cockroaches followed periodicity and peak calling occurs in the scotophase. Likewise, the behavioral response of male brown-banded cockroaches was at a peak in the scotophase. German cockroach compound eye is sensitive to blue-green portion of the spectrum (major) and ultraviolet (UV) (minor). The compound eye of the American cockroach received the blue-green and violet (or ultraviolet) regions of the spectrum. Information on the compound eye sensitivity of brown-banded cockroaches is limited. The possession of specific hygroreceptors could play an important role in both German and American cockroaches. The German cockroach preferred carbohydrates food and consumed more containing starch, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, maltose, sorbitol, or glycerol. Very limited studies were carried out to determine the food detection ability and the feeding behavior of the brown-banded cockroach. Future studies should be directed toward the color preferences of the brown-banded cockroach.