Hello bug lovers! Today, we're proud to publish a podcast recorded, edited, and produced by our friends at the podcast Bugs Need Heroes!! We met with them on their show back a little while back and had a blast talking about cockroaches, super heroes, and -most importantly- Danny Devito. They were kind enough to provide the audio to the show so we could also post it to our podcast feed. You should absolutely check out their show, https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/home, where you can hear Kelly, Amanda, and Derek build buggy super heroes out of all out favorite multi-legged friends.
In lieu of our usual show notes, I thought I would use the notes prepared by Derek of Bugs Need Heroes!
https://www.bugsneedheroes.com/episodes/the-trash-man
Derek’s Field Notes
Common Name: Cockroaches!
Order: Blattodea; termites were formerly Isoptera.
Family: We primarily discussed cockroaches in the Blattidae family as this group includes the species you, the listener, are most likely to encounter.
Species of Note:
The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), a common pet
The Central American giant cave cockroach (Blaberus giganteus), large and in charge
The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), an unwanted guest
The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) sometimes euphemistically called "the waterbug"
The Pennsylvania wood cockroach (Parcoblatta pensylvanica), an occasional visitor
Pacific dampwood termite (Zootermopsis angusticollis), the cockroach Amanda didn't know she knew
Life Cycle:
Cockroaches exhibit incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs are contained within an ootheca and nymphs undergo several molts before becoming (typically) winged adults.
Distribution:
Cockroaches are found on every continent, except Antarctica. There are about 30 species which are closely associated with humans, excluding termites.
Super Powers:
Can eat almost anything, but may exhibit strong flavor preferences!
Flight
Superspeed
Climbing
Cosmopolitan
Can squeeze into tight places and resistant to crushing
Resistant to radiation
Butt antennae
Links to check out:
The Always Sunny In Philadelphia scene that was referenced during the recording.
National Geographic: Amazing Video Reveals Why Roaches Are So Hard to Squish
An interesting breakdown of the infamous Liefeld Captain America drawing.
Sugar traps force cockroaches to adapt new sex 'gifts'
References:
Bennett, G. W., Owens, J. M., Corrigan, R. M., & Truman, L. C. (2018). Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Management Operations. North Coast Media, LLC.
Questions? Comments?
