Madagascar hissing cockroach
From Freepedia
| Madagascar hissing cockroach | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Image:Gromphadorhinaportentosamale.jpg Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Gromphadorhina portentosa , |
The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2-3 inches at maturity. They are originally from the island of Madagascar off the African coast. Also, they are wingless, an uncommon attribute in the cockroaches of the world.
It is a very popular pet because of its hissing sound and large size, and interesting appearance. Their namesake "hissing cockroach" is due to their ability to force air through the breathing pores (spiracles) found on their abdomen. This hiss is used in two contexts: the disturbance hiss and the fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourth instar (fourth molting cycle) and older are capable of the disturbance hiss. Only males use the fighting hiss when challanged by other males. It is thought that females will not mate with males that cannot hiss
It has become a popular insect in Hollywood movies, featured prominently in the horror film "Bug" 1975 (as roaches who could set fires by rubbing their legs together), and in Damnation Alley 1977 (as post-nuclear war mutated, armor-plated. "killer" cockroaches).
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