Water requirement and effect of deprivation on ootheca formation by Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

Abstract

Quantification of daily water requirement by adults Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea: Blattidae) revealed that a male and female individual imbibed 62.66±7.18 ml and 70.63±9.44 ml water daily, respectively; intake capacity, however, increased with increase in starvation period. Ootheca formation, egg load and hatching are directly related to water intake, its deprivation adversely affected reproductive parameters including egg load, hatching and period between first and second ootheca formation beyond 48 hours of water deprivation.