How Do Cockroaches Feed Their Young?
WouterCockroaches produce milk-like substance which provides an excellent source of nutrition for their young. It contains nearly 46% protein and all the essential amino acids. It also contains lipids and sugars. In addition, it contains a high energy content, making it ideal for infants. The milk of cockroaches is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Although cockroaches are terrestrial invertebrates, they lack the mammary glands that mammals have. Rather, they feed their young by feeding them bacteria from special cells called mycetocytes. This process happens when a female cockroach lays her eggs. The mother cockroach then feeds the eggs with the bacteria in the egg sac.
Cockroach nymphs look similar to adult roaches, but are smaller than their parents. They are able to molt to grow to a size of about one-half an inch, and they begin to seek food as soon as they emerge. Once they reach adulthood, they can reproduce.
In a nest, the mother wood cockroach will stay with her nymphs until they are ready to molt. This lactation stage lasts about three years. During this time, the nymphs will spend almost 10% of their time grooming their parents.
When food is scarce, cockroaches resort to cannibalism to survive. The stronger cockroaches prey on weaker ones in order to survive. This type of feeding also increases the chance of contamination of baits.
