Can a Cockroach Be White?
WouterA cockroach’s skin color is determined by the pigments in its body. When the cockroach molts, it loses the pigment and needs to replace it. In some cases, a roach may be white because it is in a state of molting. Some individuals also have a genetic condition called albinism, which affects the organism’s ability to produce melanin, which gives color to its body, eyes, and hair. This disease also affects its eyesight. It is not immediately obvious that a roach has this disorder, but the most common way to diagnose the condition is through an examination of the eyes.
Although the appearance of white cockroaches is shocking, there is no cause for alarm. All cockroaches go through a white phase at one time in their life cycle. The process occurs during the molting stage, when a roach produces a new, soft exoskeleton that is devoid of pigment. After this, the exoskeleton hardens to become a brown exoskeleton through a hormonal process known as tanning.
Although cockroaches are often sold as white because of the lack of pigmentation, some retailers use ignorance about this condition to sell them at inflated prices. Besides being completely white, an albino roach is not actually albino, and they are not able to exhibit the symptoms of albinism. Albinism affects animals, including humans, and can lead to allergies and asthma. Cockroaches can also be harmful for your health, so it is important to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
