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Lucihormetica verrucosa (Blattodea, Blaberidae) are highly sexually dimorphic cockroaches, with the males having two symmetrically organised 'glowspots' on their pronotum. The spots can range in colour from whitish-yellow to red, depending on the quantity of carotenoids in their diet. These spots auto-fluoresce when exposed to UV wavelengths, with the amount of fluorescence inversely related to the carotenoid content. The diet-dependent aspect of the pronotal spots insinuates that they are a fitness-dependent trait and thus inform sexual selection, but existing studies have not directly investigated the role of the pronotal spots in courtship behaviour. Invertebrate sexual selection is commonly informed by male size, with females selecting for smaller males. Small male size can have less cost towards females and may help males in competition for mates. This study looked at whether female courtship behaviour is influenced by (1) mass of the males or (2) the presence/absence of the male pronotal spots. It was found that (1) the mass of the males did not significantly affect the frequency of female courtship behaviours. However, (2) the presence of the male pronotal spots did significantly affect the frequency of female interactive behaviours (those where the female directly interacts with the male), including antennal feeling, mounting, and touching body-to-body. The results suggest that (1) the mass of males does not inform female mate choice but (2) females do consider the male pronotal spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small neuropeptides from the corpora cardiaca are responsible in cockroaches for the mobilisation of trehalose from the fat body into the haemolymph. Such hypertrehalosaemic hormones (HrTHs) belong to the large family of insect adipokinetic hormones (AKHs); a few HrTHs were previously sequenced from cockroaches, and from genomic and/or transcriptomic information one may predict the genes encoding HrTHs from more species. Definite elucidation of the primary structure of the mature peptide with putative modifications needs analytical chemical methods. In the current study, we use high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography to identify unequivocally the HrTHs of 13 cockroach species. Either genomic/transcriptomic information was available for most of the species examined, or from related species. We confirm predicted novel sequences and find hydroxyproline modification for the majority of the peptides. The novel decapeptides are structurally close to Bladi-HrTH, which is found in all seven of the investigated blaberid subfamilies. Bladi-HrTH and all the novel peptides elicit a hypertrehalosaemic response in Periplaneta americana, a blattid cockroach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cockroaches sexual dimorphism in body size is common and all patterns are exhibited, however female size bias predominates. The aim of present study was to evaluate intersexual differences in body dimensions and weight in 12 cockroach species: Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, Blaberus discoidalis Serville, Blaberus boliviensis Princis, Eublaberus posticus (Erichson), Eublaberus distanti (Kirby), Archimandrita tessellata Rehn, Blaptica dubia (Serville), Panchlora nivea (L.), Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier), Phoetalia pallida (Brunner von Wattenwyl), Shelfordella lateralis (Walker) and Periplaneta americana (L.). Fifty male and 50 female adults of each species were weighted and their body length, length and width of pronotum and lengths of antennae and tegmina were measured. In all species female-biased sexual size dimorphism was present: females were significantly heavier and their pronota were longer and wider. Also females body length had higher values in 10 out 12 species. In other two species intersexual differences in body length appeared to be insignificant. On the other hand, male antennae were significantly longer in majority of studied species, with exception of P. nivea, P. pallida and N. cinerea. Thus, in majority of studied species, males had longer antennae in spite of their smaller sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The remarkable ability of insects to digest wood has long fascinated researchers due to its rarity and complexity. Wood-feeding termites and passalid beetles have been extensively studied as paradigms, unveiling intricate symbiotic interactions involving endogenous enzymes and gut microbiomes. However, the wood-digesting capabilities of panesthiine cockroaches remain vastly unexplored, offering a unique opportunity to gain fresh insights into this unique dietary specialization. In this study, we investigated cellulase and xylanase activity in the crop, midgut, and hindgut lumens of Panesthia angustipennis and Salganea taiwanensis. Utilizing Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we further fractionated the luminal fluid to further elucidate how the activities are partitioned. The crop emerged as a prominent site for fiber digestion, which agrees with previous reports. However, our findings challenge conventional notions, revealing a significant role for the hindgut, which contributes around one-fifth of cellulase and xylanase activity. Particle-associated and potentially bacterial enzymes dominate the hindgut, which is similar to the digestion strategies of certain termites and passalid beetles. Our study sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of wood-feeding insects and provides valuable clues to their evolutionary success on this challenging, nutrient-poor resource. Cockroaches of the subfamily Panesthiinae (family Blaberidae) are among the few major groups of insects feeding on decayed wood. Despite having independently evolved the ability to thrive on this recalcitrant and nitrogen-limited resource, they are among the least studied of all wood-feeding insect groups. In the pursuit of unraveling their unique digestive strategies, we explored cellulase and xylanase activity in the crop, midgut, and hindgut lumens of Panesthia angustipennis and Salganea taiwanensis. Employing Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we further fractionated luminal fluid to elucidate how the activities in the gut lumen are further partitioned. Our findings challenge conventional wisdom, underscoring the significant contribution of the hindgut, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of cellulase and xylanase activity. Particle-associated enzymes, potentially of bacterial origin, dominate hindgut digestion, akin to symbiotic strategies observed in select termites and passalid beetles. Our study sheds new light on the digestive prowess of panesthiine cockroaches, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of wood-feeding insects and their remarkable adaptability to challenging, nutrient-poor substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cockroaches of the subfamily Panesthiinae (family Blaberidae) are among the few major groups of insects feeding on decayed wood. Despite having independently evolved the ability to thrive on this recalcitrant and nitrogen-limited resource, they are among the least studied of all wood-feeding insect groups. In the pursuit of unraveling their unique digestive strategies, we explored cellulase and xylanase activity in the crop, midgut, and hindgut lumens of Panesthia angustipennis and Salganea taiwanensis. Employing Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we further fractionated luminal fluid to elucidate how the activities in the gut lumen are further partitioned. Our findings challenge conventional wisdom, underscoring the significant contribution of the hindgut, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of cellulase and xylanase activity. Particle-associated enzymes, potentially of bacterial origin, dominate hindgut digestion, akin to symbiotic strategies observed in select termites and passalid beetles. Our study sheds new light on the digestive prowess of panesthiine cockroaches, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of wood-feeding insects and their remarkable adaptability to challenging, nutrient-poor substrates.

Plant decomposition is an essential component of forest ecosystems. Wood‐feeding cockroaches are responsible for the decomposition of rotten logs. However, the ecology of wood‐feeding cockroaches is not well understood. To understand how they decompose rotten logs in the gallery inside the logs, it is necessary to observe them in laboratories. Here, I present an observable and cost‐effective for rearing these log decomposers using a culture dish and an artificial fungal meal. The culture dish is traditionally used to cultivate fungi or bacteria with the lid on. The artificial fungal meal is a commercial product for stage beetle larvae, which are a kind of log decomposers. These let researchers easy to deal with wood‐feeding cockroaches. In the course of keeping over 1,000 individuals of the wood‐feeding cockroaches, I have developed effective techniques to rear them under the observable system for several years. I present these techniques along with several tips to keep the wood‐feeding cockroaches healthy and observe them using video cameras. These techniques remove many of the limitations for study on the plant decomposers. When researchers use this observable rearing system, we can conduct rearing experiments easily and well understand the ecology of wood‐feeding cockroaches and insects associating with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An iconic group of arid‐adapted insects is the Australian soil‐burrowing cockroaches (Blaberidae: Geoscapheinae), large, wingless insects that evolved burrowing behaviour and associated forms in parallel from wood feeding ancestors in the subfamily Panesthiinae. A particularly problematic taxon within the Geoscapheinae is Geoscapheus dilatatus (Saussure, 1864), which might represent a species complex and whose delimitation has been complicated for decades by the species harbouring polymorphic males. Males can be divided into two main morphs: individuals possessing horn‐like protrusions on the anterior margin of the pronotum ('tuberculate') and those without these characters ('non‐tuberculate'). A less common, third form consists of individuals that possess tubercles but are far larger than other tuberculate males and occur solely to the north of the species' distribution ('atypical' tuberculates). Here, we make use of whole mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal RNA data from individuals across the range of G. dilatatus to conduct the first phylogenetic analysis of this species to date. We recover all tuberculate males (including atypical forms) as monophyletic and the derived form of G. dilatatus, having evolved only once in this species, whereas non‐tuberculate forms are paraphyletic. Fossil‐calibrated molecular clock analysis revealed that the divergence between these two forms occurred during the late Miocene approximately 6.7 Mya, concurrent with an expansion of the continent's drier biomes. Environmental niche modelling suggests that tuberculate male forms are more climatically tolerant than their more restricted non‐tuberculate counterparts, and both forms' predicted fundamental niches are strongly limited by rainfall. Three species delimitation analyses implemented here failed to consistently delimit G. dilatatus beyond a single species. Ultimately, population genetic approaches paired with additional sampling will be necessary to determine these findings more concretely, but at present, we do not consider the results presented here sufficient to delimit G. dilatatus based on morphological differences found in the species' polymorphic males alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to establish the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus) as a useful insect subject for research in comparative psychology by investigating habituation of the light-startle response (LSR). While one goal of comparative psychology is to compare the behavior of a diversity of species, many taxa, including cockroaches, are grossly underrepresented. Our work serves to improve this deficit by investigating habituation learning in the orange head cockroach in four experiments. In our first experiment, we found that LSR, and habituation of LSR, occurs to both lights being turned on and lights being turned off. In our second experiment, we found that the duration of a light did not affect response, and that spontaneous recovery of LSR occurs after 24 h intervals. In our third experiment, we found that the presence of food inhibited LSR. In our final experiment, we found that the rate of LSR habituation decreased as intertrial interval increased, in a manner predicted by established principles of habituation. Our work lays a strong foundation for future research on the behavior of orange head cockroaches as well as learning in cockroaches in general. We hope that our findings help establish cockroaches as practical insect subjects for research in comparative psychology and related fields such as behavior analysis and behavioral ecology.

Brephallus Wang et al., gen. n. is established as a genus distinct from Pseudophoraspis Kirby, 1903 because of the lack of a well-developed apical outgrowth on sclerite L2D and substantial genetic differences. Two species are transferred to the new genus from Pseudophoraspis, i.e., Brephallus fruhstorferi (Shelford, 1910), comb. n. and Brephallus tramlapensis (Anisyutkin, 1999), comb. n. We provide a detailed generic diagnosis of Brephallus Wang et al., gen. n. Based on COI data, males, females and nymphs of three Pseudophoraspis species (P. clavellata Wang et al., 2013, P. recurvata Wang et al., 2013 and P. kabakovi Anisyutkin, 1999) were successfully matched. The former two are sexually dimorphic with macropterous males and micropterous females. Photos of the species from China are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The ways in which abiotic factors contribute to parallel evolution—the evolution of similar, derived phenotypes in independent, closely related lineages—remain understudied. Australian cockroaches of the subfamilies Panesthiinae (“wood feeders”) and Geoscapheinae (“soil burrowers”) are two closely related groups that provide a striking example of parallel evolution of burrowing behaviour. The ancestral wood‐feeding panesthiines migrated from Asia ~20 million years ago before soil burrowing was independently acquired multiple times in the derived geoscapheines. Here, we investigate whether specific abiotic factors were associated with the parallel evolution of soil burrowing behaviour, and whether divergence events of geoscapheines from panesthiine ancestors are consistent with niche conservatism or divergence. Location: The Australian mainland, including the areas in which selected Australian Panesthiinae and Geoscapheinae cockroach species are distributed. Methods: We generated environmental niche models for members of the Australian Geoscapheinae and Panesthiinae using presence‐only data and abiotic variables related to temperature, precipitation, and soil composition from BioClim and the Australian Soil Resource Information System. We used an existing phylogenetic framework to compare environmental niche models and tested for niche conservatism versus divergence. Morphological convergence was assessed by a regression analysis and principal components analysis of leg segment and body dimensions in soil burrowers and wood feeders. Results: We found no relationship between niche similarity and time since divergence, and only limited evidence for phylogenetic signal with respect to the environmental variables examined. We found that soil burrowing behaviour is consistently correlated with thirteen abiotic factors associated with aridity, including a wider range of temperatures and lower precipitation levels. Evidence for convergence in leg morphology and body dimensions across soil burrowers was found. Main conclusions: Our results are consistent with soil burrowing behaviour evolving in response to ancient aridification events following the arrival of the Panesthiinae in Australia. Our results suggest a scenario of niche divergence between soil burrowers and each of their wood feeding sister taxa. There is evidence for morphological convergence on a “shovel‐like” protibiotarsus in the Geoscapheinae that would aid in burrowing into soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify hemocyte types in the Indian stick insect Carausius morosus (Phasmatidae) and in the tropical cockroaches Blaberus craniifer and Archimandrita tessellata (Blaberidae) cultivated in an insectary. Plasmatocytes, prohemocytes, granulocytes, coagulocytes and spherulocytes were found in the cockroaches. Of the mentioned cells, the Indian stick insect lacks spherulocytes. C. morosus had the lowest total hemocyte count (THC) and B. craniifer had the highest THC. However, the number of plasmatocytes was high in all the insects, but was more pronounced in C. morosus. In cockroaches, as expected, the differential hemocyte count (DHC) was similar, and contained a high number of spherulocytes. The number of coagulocytes was relatively low in all species. Our results contribute to insect hemocyte data and confirm the need for further intensive research into the function of hemocytes and into evolutionary ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Little is known of the Endangered Lord Howe Island Cockroach Panesthia lata Walker, , other than that it disappeared from Lord Howe Island following the introduction of ship rats Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) in 1918. With a rodent‐eradication programme being planned for Lord Howe Island, an opportunity exists to reintroduce P. lata once rodents have been removed. Previous brief surveys of other islands within the Lord Howe Group have found that P. lata still occurs on some of these islands. In this study, further surveys were conducted on two of those islands (Blackburn and Roach) to gain a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of P. lata there and to investigate potential survey techniques. Brief observations were also made of the behaviour and ecology of the species. Extrapolation from survey plots showed that although 60% of the estimated population of 10 000 individuals on Blackburn Island were living beneath the sole Banyan Ficus macrophylla Desf. tree, P. lata was widely distributed across the island, utilising both native and exotic vegetation, including the introduced Rhodes Grass Chloris gayana Kunth. On Roach Island, the bulk of the estimated population of 3500 individuals occurred within Leafy Flat Sedge Cyperus lucidus R. Br. habitat. Panesthia lata seemingly spends considerable time sheltering within refuges rather than foraging on the surface; consequently, population estimates based on surface counts are underestimates. Improving either the accuracy or precision of these counts risks damaging individuals and their habitat. Mark‐recapture techniques were not applicable for assessing the abundance of this species, but trials of novel attraction stations indicated that such devices could be useful for monitoring distribution and gross fluctuations in population size. Panesthia lata appears to feed on any dead vegetation, but primarily leaves. Individuals were relatively sedentary overnight, sheltering by day under any object that provided the appropriate microenvironment. Soil characteristics in areas where P. lata sheltered were significantly modified, suggesting that this species may play an important role in soil conditioning and nutrient cycling. Maintaining the rodent‐free status of islands on which P. lata occurs is a high priority for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of cockroach, Pycnoscelus schwendingeri sp. nov., is reported from Cambodia. A detailed morphological description of the new species is given. Pycnoscelus surinamensis and P. striatus are redescribed. The structure of the female genital complex, i.e. anal and genital plates, ovipositor and adjacent structures, of Pycnoscelus surinamensis and the male genitalia of P. striatus are redescribed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Morphnodes Hebard, 1930 is restored from synonymy with Rhabdoblatta Kirby, 1903. Detailed morphological descriptions of Morphna maculata (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865), the type species of the genus Morphna Shelford, 1910, of Morphnodes goliath (Shelford, 1906), Pseudocalolampra inexpectata Roth & Princis, 1971, and Colapteroblatta compsa Hebard, 1919, the type species of the genus Colapteroblatta Hebard, 1919, are given. The male genitalia of Morphna maculata and Morphnodes goliath and the ovipositor and adjacent structures of M. maculata and C. compsa are described for the first time. Relationships of the genera Morphna, Morphnodes and Rhabdoblatta are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution six new species of Poeciloderrhis Stål, 1874 are described: P. aureolatus sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State), P. mediansclerostylatus sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State), P. diamantinensis sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Mato Grosso State), P. itatiaiensis sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State), P. vanzolinii sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State), and P. penduloides sp. nov. (Holotype male in MNRJ: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State). The genus is recorded for the first time from the state of Rondônia, Brazil based on P. diamantinensis sp. nov. A new combination is proposed for Poeciloderrhis bicolorata Rocha e Silva & Lopes, 1977 that is transferred to Epilampra Burmeister, 1838. For specific delimation, the tergal modification in the abdomen, the genital plates and their respective structures were analyzed. A key for males including all species of Poeciloderrhis is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of cockroach genus Balta Tepper, 1893 are described and illustrated: B. crena sp. n., B. maculata sp. n., B. tangi sp. n., and B. yaoi sp. n. Balta picea (Bey-Bienko, 1958) is now regarded as a new synonym of Balta hwangorum (Bey-Bienko, 1958), which is redescribed and illustrated. Two new combinations are proposed: B. nodigera (Bey-Bienko, 1958), comb. n. and B. valida (Bey-Bienko, 1958), comb. n., and both species are redescribed and illustrated. A key to all species from China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we focus on the reproductive behavior of the cockroach Oxyhaloa deusta. Within the Oxyhaloinae subfamily, mating strategies and glandular areas involved in pheromone production have been studied for several genera belonging to the Nauphoetini and Gromphadorhini tribes. However, this is the first time that courtship and mating behavior have been explored within the genus Oxyhaloa, and in a more general way within the Oxyhaloini tribe. This work, comprising behavioral observations, olfactometric bio-assays and morphological data, highlights unusual behaviors and novelties in potential sex pheromone gland location, in both males (tergite 8) and females (supra-valvular area). Surprisingly, our results also indicate that mate finding is initiated by the female. This is quite remarkable inasmuch as the Oxyhaloinae subfamily is the only cockroach group in which males initiate mate finding by means of a sex pheromone, emitted during the calling posture by extending abdominal tergites. In the Oxyhaloinae subfamily, this occurrence of various reproductive behavioral patterns (including all the mating patterns known at present in Blattaria) in closely-related species is striking, and makes this group a suitable model for studying the changes in mating behavior correlated with the location of sexual glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forest refuge hypothesis to explain Amazonian diversity places an importance on dry savanna as a landscape feature isolating populations of humid forest-dwelling animals. Leaf-litter cockroaches are a useful group to study this as they are terrestrial and occupy a high-humidity microclimate., We examine the role of savanna, forests and flood zones in affecting blaberoid cockroach assemblage composition in the north Rupununi of Guyana, an expansive savanna-forest matrix. We test whether stretches of dry savanna and flood zones are barriers to dispersal for leaf-litter cockroaches., Our study area is the ˜10 000 hectares of Karanambu Eco-Lodge. We collected 1061 individuals of 17 species from 28 sites. Using a landscape classification based on satellite imagery, we generated models of relative isolation of the 28 sites using a cost of travel algorithm. We also used non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and Mantel tests to determine whether the similarity of cockroach assemblages could be explained by different landscape categories (savanna, forests and flood zones) or by geographic distance., We identified a single model that best predict observed variation in cockroach abundance and species richness. Differences in assemblage similarity were largely due to differences in the savanna-forest habitat axis. Geographic distance was also found to effect assemblage similarity., Our data suggest that savannas are barriers to dispersal, whereas flood zones are not. Future investigation of savanna driving speciation in some species is warranted, and this is a key feature of the forest refuge hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood-feeding cockroach Panesthia angustipennis spadica Shiraki (Blaberidae) is a gregarious species, and its groups containing both nymphs and adults have often been observed in the field. To clarify the effects of aggregation with a parent and siblings on nymphal development in P. angustipennis spadica, we raised nymphs of this species in the laboratory under the following three experimental categories: (a) aggregate with a female adult; (b) aggregate without a female adult; and (c) solitary. Survival rates did not significantly differ among the three categories. Unexpectedly, our results clearly showed that nymphs raised in aggregates with a female adult were smaller, lighter, and reached a lower instar than those raised without a female adult. These results indicate that the presence of a female adult does not positively affect nymphal development; i.e. there may be no direct parental care in this species as indicated by previous studies. Moreover, solitary nymphs grew faster and larger than nymphs in aggregates, showing that the aggregation with siblings also has no positive effect on nymphal development. Thus, it seems likely that external factors, e.g. predation and environmental conditions, may drive aggregating behavior in P. angustipennis spadica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-dependent development of nymphs of the Dubia cockroach, Blaptica dubia Serville, was described using constant-temperature data collected from laboratory experiments at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C. Simple linear regression models were developed based on the data from each instar. Degree-days required to complete a particular life stage were estimated as 457.5, 668, 1,031, 1,317, 1,515, 1,429, and 2,071 for instars 1-7, respectively. Nymphs developed to adulthood at 20, 25, and 30 °C, but all died before developing into fifth instar at 35 °C and into second instar at 40 °C. Critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and critical thermal minimum (CTMin) of B. dubia were also measured for each instar. CTMax ranged from 44.8 to 49.9 °C for fourth and second instars, respectively. CTMin ranged from approximately -2 °C for seventh instar to-3.1 °C for second instar. There was no relationship between body mass (instar) and CTMax; however, CTMin was positively correlated with body mass. These results could be used to control the development rate of B. dubia and adjust the optimal rearing temperature for B. dubia in a given situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two principal pheromones are essential in all cockroach sexual behavioral sequences: the volatile sex attractant pheromone released by one partner for long distance attraction and an aphrodisiac sex pheromone produced exclusively by male tergal glands for female mounting and feeding behavior. In the Blaberinae subfamily, the female produces volatile sex attractant pheromones and the male, aphrodisiacs. A close relationship is known to exist between the release of these pheromonal signals from specific glands and the corresponding behaviors (female calling posture and male wing raising). However, in this cockroach group, no data on the glands secreting sex attractant pheromones and aphrodisiacs have been available until now. In seven species of the Blaberinae subfamily: Blaberus colosseus, B. craniifer, B. discoidalis, Blaptica interior, Byrsotria fumigata, Eublaberus distanti and E. posticus; one species of the Zetoborinae subfamily: Schultesia lampyridiformis; one species of the Epilamprinae subfamily: Epilampra maya and one species of the Panesthiinae subfamily, Panesthia sp., the females possess all pygidial glands on the 10 th tergite and the males have tergal glands situated anteriorly, generally on tergites T1 and T2. These glands are formed of type 3 glandular units with two cells, i.e. glandular and canal cells. The uniform presence of female pygidial glands and male tergal glands explains their relationship with their corresponding sexual behaviors.

Three complete mitochondrial genomes of Blaberidae (Insecta: Blattodea) ( Gromphadorhina portentosa , Panchlora nivea , Blaptica dubia ) and one complete mt genome of Blattidae (Insecta: Blattodea) ( Shelfordella lateralis ) were sequenced to further understand the characteristics of cockroach mitogenomes and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship of Blattodea. The gene order and orientation of these four cockroach genomes were similar to known cockroach mt genomes, and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and one control region. The mt genomes of Blattodea exhibited a characteristics of a high A + T composition (70.7%–74.3%) and dominant usage of the TAA stop codon. The AT content of the whole mt genome, PCGs and total tRNAs in G. portentosa was the lowest in known cockroaches. The presence of a 71-bp intergenic spacer region between trnQ and trnM was a unique feature in B. dubia , but absent in other cockroaches, which can be explained by the duplication/random loss model. Based on the nucleotide and amino acid datasets of the 13 PCGs genes, neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and bayesian inference (BI) analyses were used to rebuild the phylogenetic relationship of cockroaches. All phylogenetic analyses consistently placed Isoptera as the sister cluster to Cryptocercidae of Blattodea. Ectobiidae and Blaberidae (Blaberoidea) formed a sister clade to Blattidae. Corydiidae is a sister clade of all the remaining cockroach species with a high value in NJ and MP analyses of nucleotide and amino acid datasets, and ML and BI analyses of the amino acid dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorrect generic name Perisphaeria Burmeister, 1838 results from a mistake by Princis (1947). Perisphaeria is an incorrect spelling by Burmeister referring to Perisphaerus Serville, 1831. Princis (1947) incorrectly regarded Perisphaeria as proposed by Burmeister and as the senior synonym of Hyposphaeria Lucas, 1863, which is valid. The subfamilial name Perisphaeriinae based on Perisphaeria should be corrected to Perisphaerinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865 based on Perisphaerus; but note Princis' Perisphaeriinae is based on his Perisphaeria Burmeister. The taxa involved are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected colonies of Daulocoris formosanus from nests of the subsocial wood-feeding cockroach Salganea taiwanensis ryukyuanus for the first time. To understand the ecology of D. formosanus, we observed and characterized their behavior in a laboratory setting. We provide the first detailed record of the habitat, colony structure and feeding behavior of D. formosanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution describes and illustrates the male genitalia of two new species of Blaberidae collected in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: T. caldensis sp. n. resembles T. neospectrum Lopes, 1978, differing in the coloration, size and genitalia; and T. morroferrensis sp. n., which resembles T. guttulosum (Walker, 1868) but also differs in the size and coloration of specimen and genital pieces morphology. The genital plates were removed after dissection of the posterior part of the abdomen, and were stored in microvials containing glycerin, attached to the respective exemplar in the collection of the Museu Nacional of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A key to males of the species of the genus is also presented. Illustrations of T. neospectrum and T. guttulosum are provided to clarify the comparisons with the new species described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the gut microbiota of termites and its role in symbiotic digestion have been studied for decades, little is known about the bacteria colonizing the intestinal tract of the distantly related wood-feeding cockroaches (Blaberidae: Panesthiinae). Here, we show that physicochemical gut conditions and microbial fermentation products in the gut of Panesthia angustipennis resemble that of other cockroaches. Microsensor measurements confirmed that all gut compartments were anoxic at the center and had a slightly acidic to neutral pH and a negative redox potential. While acetate dominated in all compartments, lactate and hydrogen accumulated only in the crop. The high, hydrogen-limited rates of methane emission from living cockroaches were in agreement with the restriction of F420-fluorescent methanogens to the hindgut. The gut microbiota of both P. angustipennis and Salganea esakii differed strongly between compartments, with the highest density and diversity in the hindgut, but similarities between homologous compartments of both cockroaches indicated a specificity of the microbiota for their respective habitats. While some lineages were most closely related to the gut microbiota of omnivorous cockroaches and wood- or litter-feeding termites, others have been encountered also in vertebrates, reinforcing the hypothesis that strong environmental selection drives community structure in the cockroach gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new species Panesthia guizhouensis sp. n. and one new subspecies Panesthia stellata concava ssp. n. are described and illustrated. The male of Panesthia antennata Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 and its brachypterous form are described and illustrated for the first time. Panesthia strelkovi Bey-Bienko, 1969 is redescribed and illustrated. Three known species, Panesthia birmanica Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893, Panesthia sinuata Saussure, 1839 and Panesthia angustipennis cognata Bey-Bienko, 1969 are illustrated. In addition, a key to all species of the genus Panesthia from China is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution describes a new species of Litopeltis from Brazil, L. teresopolitensis sp. n., which shows similarities with L. paineirensis Lopes & Oliveira, 2010 and L. ribeiropretano Lopes & Oliveira, 2010. It differs in characters of morphology genitalia and configuration, with the median sclerite bearing microspines on the sclerotic apex. A map showing the geographic distribution of the Brazilian species and a key to males of the other species of the genus are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a case study that presents a new Gregarine called Protomagalhaensia vipera parasitizing the orange-headed cockroach or Eublaberus posticus. Topics covered include the materials and methods used in the case study, the diagnosis of the Protomagalhaensia vipera species, and the description of terms relating to Protomagalhaensia vipera, including the terms trophozoites, primite, and gametocysts. It also discusses the taxonomic summary relating to Protomagalhaensia vipera.