Madagascar
Hissing Cockroach

 

Common Name Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Scientific Name Gromphadorrhina portentos
Family Blaberidae
Origin: These large wingless cockroaches come from the island of Madagascar

Notes: Madagascar hissing cockroaches really do hiss! They do this by forcing air out through their spiracles, or breathing holes, along the sides of their bodies.  They have different hisses for defending territories, mating, and disturbance.  It’s hard for us to see by looking, but in this large group there are complex hierarchies, which determine who mates with whom, who has access to the best food, and who gets to sit where.  The males are smaller with slightly fuzzier antennae and have two bumps on the thorax, which they use in jousting contests over females and territory.  The females are larger and have a more smooth, plump appearance.  Neither sex ever develops wings and they spend their lives in forest litter eating decaying plant material.