Effects of Different Diet Compositions on Fecundity, and Hatchability, of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana).
Filbert Ewald Mdee, Adrian Evance Materu
Abstract
The success of a pest control method depends on the thorough study of the targeted pest's behaviours. The behaviours of cockroaches may change depending on the foods they eat. This study assessed the effects of different diet compositions on fecundity and hatchability of fecundity and American cockroaches. The stable late instar nymphs of P. americana were fed on S1 (maize bran), M1 (broiler starter), B1 (broiler starting + groundnuts), G1 (broiler starter + milk) and K1 (broiler starter + milk + groundnuts) until they matured into complete adults when they were allowed to mate. The oothecae laid were recorded to determine their fecundity and hatchability. Among the five diets tested, broiler starter alone (M1) was the most preferred diet (2.81875 ± 0.466 g), while the combination of broiler starter, milk, and groundnuts (K1) was the least favoured diet (1.59375 ± 0.289 g). Individuals maintained on broiler starter and milk (G1) had the highest fecundity (n=161, 10.0625 ± 1.183), while those maintained on maize bran (S1) had the least (n=108, 6.75 ± 0.680). Similarly, the oothecae laid by cockroaches maintained on (G1) broiler starter and milk (8.5625 ± 1.129) and (S1) maize bran (5.4375 ± 0.619) had the highest and lowest hatchability, respectively. The present findings propose the mixture of broiler starter and milk as appropriate feed for maintaining cockroach laboratory colonies, and highlights the potential of targeting food sources rich in protein and dairy waste as part of integrated pest management strategies.