STUDY OF FEEDING AND GREGARIOUS BEHAVIOR OF TWO SPECIES OF ECTOBIIDAE; Loboptera decipiens AND Loboptera ovolobata (BLATTODEA)

This work aims to study the feeding and gregarious behavior of the two species of forest cockroaches, Loboptera decipiens and Loboptera ovolobata, collected in the Aflou region (Laghouat; Algeria). So we tested the attractiveness of these species via the odors of the two extracts, Aleppo pine leaves or Loboptera species. These tests were carried out in a closed enclosure under the controlled temperature and humidity conditions of the breeding room. Time was recorded with a stopwatch.

For food tests, the results showed that both species L. decipiens and L. ovolobata were significantly attracted to the hexane extract of Aleppo pine leaves (30min). Gregarious tests show that the larvae are attracted to the smell of the hexane extract of larvae of the same species. while, adult species are attracted to the scent of the haxan extract from both adults ( they cannot distinguish the scent of their species).