Madagascar Hissing cockroach facts

scientific name

Gromphadorhina portentosa

created kind

Blaberid

length

2-3 inches

weight

up to 1 oz

range

forests of madagascar

longevity

2-5 years

there are about _____ different species of hissing cockroach from the island of Madagascar, named for the loud hissing noise they all produce

20

There are over _______ species of cockroach found all over the world today in a wide range of habitats

4000

Most species are __________ or ________, spending most of their time hidden from view

omnivores, detritivores

Although they are usually considered pests, they play an important ecological role by consuming and recycling ________ and ________ organic matter.

dead, decaying

Cockroaches are ovoviviparous, meaning the females produce egg sacs called ________ and hatch them inside their bodies before giving live birth to their babies

oothecas

Nymphs resemble the adults but lack _______, and they do not go through a _____ stage

wings, pupal

Although they do not form structured colonies, juveniles especially tend to aggregate, and many species exhibit ________ ________. In fact, isolated juveniles will grow at a much _______ rate and often do not _______ as long

parental care, slower, live

Cockroaches engage in chemical communication with one another by either expressing ________ or by releasing __________ through their antennae, which act like chemical signatures from each individual cockroach

pheromones, hydrocarbons

Their individual chemical signatures prevent ________ within their social groups, as they will avoid breeding with each other if they are ________

inbreeding, related

Madagascar hissing cockroaches belong to the blaberid baramin which includes all giant cockroaches, including _________ and______ ____ cockroaches

dubias, giant burrowing cockroaches

All blaberids are medium to large in size with ______, _______ legs and relatively ______ antennae

short, stout, short

Madagascar hissing cockroaches spend their days hiding amongst leaf litter, logs, and detritus, foraging at _______ for plant material

night

They have a symbiotic relationship with _______, which will clean mold spores and other pathogens off the cockroaches. In return the roaches allow them to consume some of their food and get free ______

mites, rides

Although they cannot fly, these roaches have pads on their feet that allow them to climb _______ surfaces and hang _______ ________

vertical, upside down

Males can be distinguished by their large _______, which they use for fighting and _______

horns, display

Males produce three types of hisses: the _________ hiss, the _______ hiss, and the _______ ______ hiss

disturbance, aggressive, mating call

Females can only make the __________ hiss

disturbance

They produce their noises by exhaling air through their _________. this trait is very unique, as most insects make noise by rubbing _____ _____ together or using vibrating ________

spiracles, body parts, membranes

parents and offspring tend to stay together for up to a ________

year

Nymphs will molt ____ times before reaching adulthood

6

Once they undergo their _____ molt, they are able to hiss, and once they reach ______ months of age, they may _____

4th, breed

Because of their ________ nature, low __________, and _____ size, they make excellent

docile, maintenance, small