The Easter Cockroach

Posted on April 16, 2017 by
Cockroach

A visit from the Easter Cockroach
Female German Cockroach with Ootheca

Easter is the “egg” holiday when the Easter Bunny brings colored eggs to all the good girls and boys. The bad boys and girls, who leave food on the table, in the sink and on the floor, get a visit from the Easter Cockroach.

The Easter Cockroach does not bring colored eggs. The cockroach eggs are encased in a shiny brown ootheca. The female cockroach carries her egg clutch with her ovipositor, the ootheca partially exposed. The eggs in an ootheca removed from a female may hatch, but the success rate of egg hatch is lower.  This female  cockroach supplies the ootheca with secretions that enhance survival of the eggs. Easter Cockroach Eggs will hatch, feast on the uncovered food and thrive in unsanitary conditions. Unlike Easter Eggs which must soon be eaten or spoil, the Easter Cockroach Eggs are an unwanted gift that keeps on giving.

About jjneal

Jonathan Neal is an Associate Professor of Entomology at Purdue University and author of the textbook, Living With Insects (2010). This blog is a forum to communicate about the intersection of insects with people and policy. This is a personal blog. The opinions and materials posted here are those of the author and are in no way connected with those of my employer.
This entry was posted in behavior, by jjneal, Insect Inspired, jokes. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to The Easter Cockroach

  1. Pingback: The Easter Cockroach – Entomo Planet

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