Pest Library

Characteristics

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is deemed to be one of the biggest cockroaches around with an approximate length of 2 to 4 inches and 1/4 to 7/8 ounces of weight. It has a brownish or black cover over its whole body and a hard exoskeleton. The female and male have sexual dimorphism. Males have a noticeable hump on the thorax while the females do not have small bumps on them. Females also have a smoother thorax than the males. Males are larger than the females. Both genders do not have wings, but they can run faster compared to other wingless cockroaches.

Habitat

Gromphadorhina portentosa lives on the Madagascar island. They are common in the forests found in rotten logs, in dirt and soil, or in any dry litter on the forest floor.

They are also popular as pets that can be housed inside a glass tank. But, since the Madagascar hissing cockroach can climb glass, it is important to place a wide strip on the top of the tank and other means of prevention to avoid these roaches from escaping.

Behavior

As their name suggests, this cockroach has a distinctive characteristic, which is its hissing sound. When this cockroach is disturbed or threatened, it will emit a loud hiss to distract or frighten potential predators. This sound is also used when they are mating.

Males are known for their impressive display of aggressive behavior towards other males. They will fight by ramming into each other with their horns like bulls, or they will push each other with their abdomen. In most cases, the larger cockroach will win the fight while hissing louder than their opponent.

Food

This cockroach prefers fruits and leaf litter as part of their diet. They do not eat meat or feces, which makes them perfect, sanitary, and safe to handle.

Life Cycle

Mating happens any time of the year with the female carrying her ootheca inside her body for 60 days. A female cockroach can carry 30 to 60 nymphs. These nymphs will undergo 6 molts within seven months before they become mature. Once the nymphs become adults, they can live for 2 to 5 years, depending on their environment.

Other Information and Tips

This large cockroach is not considered a pest because they do not populate in human dwellings. They prefer eating fruits and plant materials, unlike their cousins . they are not known to pose any threat to people and pets. They hide and live on forest floors and will just be active at night when they scavenge for their food.