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The giant burrowing cockroach (''Macropanesthia rhinoceros'') is also known as the rhinoceros cockroach, and Queensland giant cockroach. These
cockroach Cockroaches (or roaches) are insects belonging to the Order (biology), order Blattodea (Blattaria). About 30 cockroach species out of 4,600 are associated with human habitats. Some species are well-known Pest (organism), pests. Modern cockro ...
es are native to
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
and mostly found in
tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...
and
subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones immediately to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Ge ...
parts of
Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
. They are the world's heaviest species of cockroach and can weigh up to 30-35 grams and measure up to 7.5- in length. It is a member of the family
Blaberidae Giant cockroaches, or blaberids (family (biology), family Blaberidae), are the second-largest cockroach family by number of species. Mostly distributed in warmer climates worldwide, this family is based on the American genus ''Blaberus'', but mu ...
, which contains hundreds of species. It is part of the blaberid subfamily Geoscapheinae.Hill, A. (2016). Obesity and Gastrointestinal Impaction in Giant Burrowing Cockroaches (''Macropanesthia rhinoceros''): A Potential Effect of the Thrifty Phenotype. ''Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine'', ''25''(1), 30–33. It is prominent in the wild and can also be sold and kept as a pet. Unlike some other cockroaches, the giant burrowing cockroach does not have wings and is not considered a pest. This species plays a vital part in the
ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...
by consuming dead leaves, eucalyptus in particular, and recycling other matter. They may burrow down in soil to a depth of about , where they make permanent homes and feed on collected dry
leaf litter Plant litter (also leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, litterfall, or duff) is dead plant material (such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes) that has fallen to the ground. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituen ...
. The giant burrowing cockroach is the only cockroach in the world known to have permanent burrows in the soil.Hasenpusch, S. Giants of the Insect World. ''Land For Wildlife Queensland''. Retrieved from http://www.insectfarm.com.au/newsletters/news200105.php The species play an important ecological role in that it contributes to the recycling of nutrients in the wild. The cockroach is popular in
Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...
and is frequently sold as a pet.


Description

The giant burrowing cockroach is identifiable by its large size and weight. An adult can reach over 60 mmRentz, David. ''A Guide To Cockroaches Of Australia''. CSIRO Publishing, (2014), pp. 98-99. and up to 75–80 mm, and can weigh up to 30-35 grams. The pronotum is a prominent plate-like structure that covers the first segment of the
thorax The thorax (: thoraces or thoraxes) or chest is a part of the anatomy of mammals and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen. In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main di ...
, has short tubercles at the sides, and can exceed 15 mm. Their pronotum assists with digging, acting as a shovel while its abdomen rests on the ground. The cockroach use their spiny
tibia The tibia (; : tibiae or tibias), also known as the shinbone or shankbone, is the larger, stronger, and anterior (frontal) of the two Leg bones, bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates (the other being the fibula, behind and to the outsi ...
e in order to dig and burrow into the ground. The giant burrowing cockroach is well adapted for burrowing and digging with large back legs and a strong body armour, which offers protection from predators. It is one of few native Australian
cockroach Cockroaches (or roaches) are insects belonging to the Order (biology), order Blattodea (Blattaria). About 30 cockroach species out of 4,600 are associated with human habitats. Some species are well-known Pest (organism), pests. Modern cockro ...
es without wings, with a concurrent lack of mobility.Brown, W.V; Rose, H.A; Lacey, M.J; Wright, K (2000). "The cuticular hydrocarbons of the giant soil-burrowing cockroach ''Macropanesthia rhinoceros'' Saussure (Blattodea: Blaberidae: Geoscapheinae): analysis with respect to age, sex and location". ''Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B''. 127 (3): 261–77.
PMID PubMed is an openly accessible, free database which includes primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. The United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of ...
11126757.
It is nocturnal. Adult males and females can be differentiated by the size of the "scoop" on the pronotum, which covers the head; with the male having a much more pronounced scoop. They grow by
moult In biology, moulting (British English), or molting (American English), also known as sloughing, shedding, or in many invertebrates, ecdysis, is a process by which an animal casts off parts of its body to serve some beneficial purpose, either at ...
ing several times before reaching full size. When a cockroach moults, it will appear pure white except for the eyes.Sydney Institute of TAFE. ''Husbandry Manual For Giant Burrowing Cockroach''. (2006), pp. 6-24. Accessed 17 Mar 2020. Individuals have lifespans up to ten years in captivity. Adult males are more commonly-encountered than females.Rugg, D., Rose, H., & Rugg, D. (1991). Biology of ''Macropanesthia rhinoceros'' Saussure (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae). ''Annals of the Entomological Society of America'', ''84''(6), 575–582. As in other hemimetabolous insects, the immature stages of the giant burrowing cockroaches are referred to as nymphs. Nymphs are creamy white when born, but soon develop a reddish brown colour. Both adult females and males are dark brown. Nymphs remain with their mothers for five to seven months, and she provides food and cares for them.


Distribution and habitat

The giant burrowing cockroach species are mostly found in
Queensland, Australia Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, ...
. It is commonly found along the coastal stretch between
Rockhampton Rockhampton is a city in the Rockhampton Region of Central Queensland, Australia. In the , the population of Rockhampton was 79,293. A common nickname for Rockhampton is "Rocky", and the demonym of Rockhampton is Rockhamptonite. The Scottish- ...
and Cooktown. The cockroach can also be located on the islands of the Whitsundays. The species build burrows that can stretch up to one metre underground, which is where it stores food and lives permanently. Burrow depth appears to change depending on soil type, with burrows ranging from approximately 10 cm underground to 100 cm. It is prevalent in dry ''
Eucalyptus ''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of more than 700 species of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. Most species of ''Eucalyptus'' are trees, often Mallee (habit), mallees, and a few are shrubs. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalyp ...
'' woodlands in the northeastern territory within Australia. There are 18 known geographical populations of the cockroach along subtropical Queensland. The cockroach has a wide geographical distribution in relation to other burrowing cockroach species. It is present across a one thousand kilometre range. The cockroach can be found in both dry and wet areas of Australia, including
rainforest Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree Canopy (biology), canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as tropi ...
s, woodlands and savannas. Common dry areas it inhabits include Maiden Springs, Boonderoo and Alpha. Common wet areas the cockroach is found in include Cooktown, Magnetic island and the Whitsundays. Locations that are in the mid-range between dry and wet regions where the cockroach is present include Coen, Rochford Scrub and Mount Garnet. Populations of the cockroach can be geographically isolated due to unsuitable ground soil or by water. The species tends to prefer the drier
savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) biome and ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach th ...
areas west of the
Great Dividing Range The Great Dividing Range, also known as the East Australian Cordillera or the Eastern Highlands, is a cordillera system in eastern Australia consisting of an expansive collection of mountain ranges, plateaus and rolling hills. It runs roughl ...
. The most common vegetation where the cockroach is found is ''Eucalyptus'' woodland and grass.


Behaviour

The cockroach stays underground as it lives permanently in its burrows. The cockroach often surfaces during wet weather, with most activity coinciding with summer rains. During the dry season it remains in its burrows and feed on collected litter. It feeds mostly on dry, decomposing eucalyptus leaves. The cockroach composts the leaves in the burrow with some bark and dry grass. Burrows are often composed of grass, tree root and leaves. The entrance to the cockroach burrows resembles a flattened semi-circle. Burrows can be identifiable when the cockroach has been active, yet are often covered by litter or collapsed. The size of the burrow entrance is approximately five centimetres wide and two centimetres high. Burrows often follow a path just below the soil surface for up to one metre, and occasionally descend downwards sharply. The burrows do not follow a pattern. The cockroaches occupy the end of the burrows, which is widened up to one metre wide to contain the collected litter. Other species of insects have been located within the burrows, including scarabs, aleculid beetles,
silverfish The silverfish (''Lepisma saccharinum'') is a species of small, primitive, wingless insect in the order Zygentoma (formerly Thysanura). Its common name derives from the insect's silvery light grey colour, combined with the fish-like appearanc ...
, larvae of tenebrionids and caesmaking moths, as well as other species of cockroaches.


Social behaviour

The cockroach is generally solitary, yet young
nymphs A nymph (; ; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, land ...
remain with mothers for several months after birth. The cockroach is active after sunrise, and may begin to burrow and dig. Males wander outside of burrows more than females do. Males tend to wander in search of a mate, whilst females collect litter to take back into their burrows.
Foraging Foraging is searching for wild food resources. It affects an animal's fitness because it plays an important role in an animal's ability to survive and reproduce. Foraging theory is a branch of behavioral ecology that studies the foraging behavi ...
is common with grown female cockroaches, and the cockroach can wander up to 50 cm from the entrance of the burrow to collect ground litter. It collects mostly dead leaves and use the
mandible In jawed vertebrates, the mandible (from the Latin ''mandibula'', 'for chewing'), lower jaw, or jawbone is a bone that makes up the lowerand typically more mobilecomponent of the mouth (the upper jaw being known as the maxilla). The jawbone i ...
s to drag the litter back into their burrow. Fighting is common amongst adult males, yet adult females with
nymphs A nymph (; ; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, land ...
are also highly aggressive. Aggressiveness is associated with its solitary existence. Aggressive behaviour can include butting, barging and hissing which often results in a cockroach being knocked over. Males can fight at the entrances to burrows in order to prevent the other male cockroaches from entering the burrow. Whilst fighting, males use the front of the pronotum to force the intruder away. A hissing sound is produced when the giant burrowing cockroach fights another.


Sounds

The cockroach can emit a hissing sound during both reproduction and when threatened. The hissing sound is produced by the expulsion of air from the cockroach’s spiracles, which is an external respiratory opening on the abdomen.


Biology


Reproduction

Reproductive behaviour between the cockroaches tends to occur at night time, and is based mostly on scent, taste and touch. The male cockroaches attempt to court the females with motions such as hissing, changing posture, motioning with antennas, grooming the female, and pushing the female with their body in an attempt to lift the female. It is unknown if female cockroaches engage in multiple matings and if so, if it occurs with different male cockroaches. Females can annually have up to thirty young at once. The species is
ovoviviparous Ovoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparity, oviparous and live-bearing viviparity, viviparous reproduction. Ovoviviparous animals possess embryos that develo ...
meaning it has young by means of eggs which hatch internally in the parent. Unlike most insects, which lay eggs, the female Giant burrowing cockroach gives birth to her young, and protects her offspring in her underground alcove, providing them with
leaf litter Plant litter (also leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, litterfall, or duff) is dead plant material (such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes) that has fallen to the ground. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituen ...
she gathers overnight. The cockroaches can live for up to 10 years. The species is often found with the mothers with the young together within the burrows, whereas the males are mostly absent from the burrows. The parenting cycle of the giant burrowing cockroach can last up to six months, or until
nymphs A nymph (; ; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, land ...
are capable to leave and construct their own burrows and fend for themselves. One brood of approximately thirty nymphs is produced each year, and tends to be in late spring after an incubation period of approximately three months. The cockroaches shed their outer skin approximately fourteen times in their life cycle. This skin is often ingested as it is nutritious. Young nymphs are rarely found above ground, outside of the burrow. Nymphs grow at the same rate and once the nymphs leave the nest they live alone until they fully develop and become adults.Tadao, M. (1992). Familial Association, Nymphal Development and Population Density in the Australian Giant Burrowing Cockroach, Macropanesthia rhinoceros (Blattaria: Blaberidae). ''Zoological Science.'', ''9'', 835-842. doi: https://biostor.org/reference/207751


Obesity

Depending on the temperature, they perform different patterns of eating, carbon dioxide production, and metabolic rates. ''Macropanesthia rhinoceros'' can be diagnosed with
obesity Obesity is a medical condition, considered by multiple organizations to be a disease, in which excess Adipose tissue, body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classifi ...
when there are no changes in its
husbandry Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, management, production, nutrition, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. ...
. When an individual lacks nutrition, they are susceptible to adopting a "thrifty phenotype", which prioritises fat storage over reproductive development to be able to handle dangerous environment conditions. In optimal environmental conditions, this thrifty phenotype has the potential to become maladaptive, thus causing excessive fat storage and metabolic disease. In the future, this may result in obesity or metabolic disease. Obesity can cause, "an atypical body conformation with narrow, elongated abdominal profiles compared to the wide, flat bodies of neighbouring conspecifics." In addition, this exposes a mushy and pale tissue between their abdominal sclerites.


Relationship with humans


As pets

The cockroach is calm and easy to care for making it a common and popular pet. The species cannot move fast or fly. Its large size, sedentary behavioural lifestyle and limited husbandry needs contribute to the increase in popularity for the species as a pet both in Australia and internationally. They are clean, disease free, odourless, do not bite when handled and do not climb or fly. Males can be aggressive towards other males meaning that a larger enclosure would be needed to house more than one cockroach at a time to avoid conflict. There should be more females than males in one enclosure as otherwise conflict may ensue between the males over the females. Enclosures should not be kept in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. The tank or terrarium should have clean, fine to medium grain river sand, with some being wet and the other end of the enclosure dry. The cockroach requires substrate to be up to 100mm deep, which the cockroach use with leaves and sticks to nest and burrow. The
substrate Substrate may refer to: Physical layers *Substrate (biology), the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the surface or medium on which an organism grows or is attached ** Substrate (aquatic environment), the earthy material that exi ...
is changed regularly after a few months, taking into account the size of the tank and the number of cockroaches present. The giant burrowing cockroach has lived to a maximum of eight years in captivity. Nymphs grow faster when in the wild in comparison to in captivity. Wild nymphs can reach the eighth
instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'' 'form, likeness') is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, which occurs between each moult (''ecdysis'') until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to ...
in five months, yet there can be a large variation in growth rates with some nymphs taking up to a year to grow to the ninth instar. It has nine instar stages. Data from laboratories shows that it is a slow growing cockroach with varying growth rates. The cockroach eats dried eucalyptus leaves and can also eat fruit and vegetables.


Threats

The largest threat to the giant burrowing cockroach is
habitat destruction Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...
. Their main habitat includes forests and land in northern Queensland, which has been cleared intensely from the year 2000. Large
centipede Centipedes (from Neo-Latin , "hundred", and Latin , "foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', "lip", and Neo-Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, ...
s find shelter in the burrows of the cockroaches and can prey on young nymphs. Large spiders also consume young nymphs. Neither spiders nor most centipedes are able to consume adults due to their outer shell, however fully grown '' Ethmostigmus rubripes'' would likely be capable of preying on the adult cockroaches.


References


External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q259566 Cockroaches Insects of Australia Insects described in 1895