Food and water deprivation effects on reproduction of female Blattella germanica (L.)

The food and water requirements of the female German cockroach for reproduction as well as the effects of food and water deprivations during the reproductive cycle were studied. The data obtained are useful both in advancing our knowledge about the basic biology of this species, in addition to determining whether sanitation should continue to be stressed in cockroach pest management programs. Experimental animals were reared under constant humidity and temperature with a controlled photoperiod. Females were deprived of food or water following maturation, mating, first oothecal hatch, or during the egg-case carrying period. Effects on survival and reproduction were noted. Water deprivation increased mortality at all periods of the cycle tested, with additional effects on the reproductive cycle. Females survived food deprivations much better although direct effects on reproduction were observed. There were delays in the reproductive cycle along with decreased oothecal hatches. Females carrying oothecal survived the deprivations better than females in other reproductive states. It appears that female B. <i>germanica</i> can survive without food or water for short periods although, normally, reproduction will not occur in the absence of either. The effects of food and water deprivations vary greatly with both the length of time the resource is unavailable and the period of the reproductive cycle during which the resource is unavailable. Since food and water seem to be critical to reproduction of the German cockroach, a continued emphasis on sanitation appears justified.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Entomology

Department dc:contributor.department

Entomology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1983

Author dc:creator

• Durbin, Edward J. (Edward John)

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/114409

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/114409