Kevin Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I found this little gal (just a guess) and believe its a western wood roach. Found it under some logs in California. My main question besides a confirmation on the ID is about the fluid it produces. What is the white substance it produces. I have never seen roaches produce this before. Just kind of curious. Thanks Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharma Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Hi Kevin No idea about the species BUT: This "fluid" (shiny bluish white jelly of glue like and sticky consistence being nearly odorless with a slight sweetish smell) I found on my dominant Shelfordella lateralis ("Turkestan roach") female at exactly the same position. The smaller "underdog" females didn't produce it (don't know anything about males cause I hadn't none). Unfortunately no one on the German roach forum could tell me what it is... I guess it contains pheromons . I'm still interested what it really is/was cause I suppose that the composition and purpose of this stuff is the same for both species. Liebs Grüessli Andreas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpet Roaches Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 A number of species have that sticky secretion, supposedly glycoprotiens. It functions to deter predators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharma Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks Orin for the enlightment! But: How should glycoproteins deter predators? Glue their mouth shot or is there anything smelly inside (which at least I as a smoker and my bearded dragons with their 'taste distortion' can't percive)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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