RaZias Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I want to study the behavior of hissers in my colony and I would like to tag them (like with a number). I am afraid that any paint can be toxic for them. Do you now any type of paint non-toxic for bugs (if that even exists...) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Only non toxic I know of is watercolor paint for kids that washes off. Someone else might know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Enamel paints are used to mark queen honey bees. They should work just fine on roaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaZias Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 I have painted a "1" in the left horn in a hisser and a "2" in a segment (the one just posterior to the segment that protects the head) of another hisser. I used white watercolor for kids (the one that you can paint with the skin of your hands). If eventualy one dies I will post the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaZias Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 The "watercolor" went off when changing the bugs from place to clean the cage. I painted a new one with "acrilic paint" I will see how this turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I have used non-toxic fingernail polish, normal fingernail polish and enamel paint pens and have not noticed an negative effect on the health of the roach. Here is an interesting article concerning marking animals (i.e., terrestrial isopods) and behavior: http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3335411/ I have observed similar behavioral changes with my terrestrial isopods but have not replicated the studies with my roaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanchantress Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Thanks for the link to that article, MrCrackerpants. I found it to be very interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Thanks for the link to that article, MrCrackerpants. I found it to be very interesting! No problem! : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaZias Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 The acrilic paint went off on one of the roaches. I guess I have to try fingernail polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 The acrilic paint went off on one of the roaches. I guess I have to try fingernail polish. The fast drying fingernail polish is good. I have also glued identifiers onto their exoskeletons with super glue. It also dries fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaZias Posted February 20, 2013 Author Share Posted February 20, 2013 I saw that marking them didn´t altered their behavior, number 5 still climbs the cage wall that is near the room heater and number 1 still stays all day exposed to light in a narrow transparent corridor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Cool. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaZias Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 The fast drying fingernail polish is good. I have also glued identifiers onto their exoskeletons with super glue. It also dries fast. Do glued identifiers fall down ? How many time does fingernail polish stays ? One week ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Do glued identifiers fall down ? Not usually How many time does fingernail polish stays ? One week ? Mine stays a long time (not sure of exact number of days) on mature adults. Maturing nymphs shed and then I am not sure which is which. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briene Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Take some photographs : )! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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