Entomologists have been interested in
studying cockroach food preference and feeding
behavior because cockroaches are one of the most
prevalent household pests. The range of food
substances that they utilize is greater than any other
insect.(6) The German cockroach, Blattella germanica
Linn., has been used as a model organism for the
study of insect neurobiology, digestion and
physiology.(6) However, the documentation of food
preference and feeding behavior of the German
cockroach has been limited.
We hypothesized that the adult German
cockroach might show sex-differences in food
choices due to reproductive investment needs.
Therefore, the objectives of this research were to
study the attractiveness of various foods to the male
and female German cockroaches. We also looked at
their feeding behavior. Laboratory olfactometer assays
and behavior observation were used in this
experiment. In addition, this research would determine
the attractiveness of some non-chemical baits for
trapping the German cockroach in the field.