Hisser Hearing

[Ralph]

I've contemplated this for a while, and so far haven't found any hearing apparatus on my cockroaches. Obviously they detect sound in some sort of way, as they respond to hisses from others (everyone with 'em should know this already). Do they sense the vibrations in the air? I'm sure someone hear (get it!) should know

[Matt K]

ooops, next post please!

[Matt K]

I've contemplated this for a while, and so far haven't found any hearing apparatus on my cockroaches. Obviously they detect sound in some sort of way, as they respond to hisses from others (everyone with 'em should know this already). Do they sense the vibrations in the air? I'm sure someone hear (get it!) should know

Look at the roaches antennae. They are convered in tiny hair-like protrusions that are like miniature antennae called sensillae. The sensillae are used for a variety of functions from detecting the pherome molecules of other roaches, food molecules in the air, and even air pressure-wave detection (sounds). You can also find these organs on the rear of roaches- Periplaneta sp. are used for lab study- as they give the ability for the roaches to sense things in front of them and behind them- in some species the sensillae are more specialized than in others. This topic can get very elaborate, but this is the nickle version!

If you *Google* the term sensillae, that will explain alot about roaches and other bug senses.

[Ralph]

Thanks a lot, Matt! That was very informative. I suspected the antennae, but I thought they would have had organs like grasshoppers. I'm sure everyone else who sees this topic will be informed, too.