The Indian Domino Cockroach Natural History
Size
The Indian Domino Cockroach grows to around 3cm.
Habitat and Distribution
They inhabit scrub forests in India where they burrow under leaves and soil to avoid the heat during the day.
Diet
These omnivores feed on decaying organic matter (both vegetable and animal based).
Groups and Breeding
As with other cockroach species they use chemical pheromones to communicate with one another.
Once copulating with a male the female will not allow any other male near her, using her hind legs to kick them away. After mating a female can produce as many as 13 oothecae (egg cases), each with 1-16 eggs inside which she lays in moist leaf litter. After hatching young (nymphs) remain underground, as deep a 30 cm.
Threats
This species does not face any significant conservation issues currently.
Interesting facts
This species can also be called the seven spotted cockroach or desert cockroach.
Their pattern and colour is thought to have evolved to mimic the pattern of the ground beetle an aggressive beetle that has strong defences and can spray chemical irritants.
The Indian Domino Cockroach During Your Day Out in Kent
At Wingham Wildlife Park the Indian Domino Cockroach can be seen in the Bug Gardens. The Bug Gardens are also home to a variety of tarantulas, isopods, beetles and other invertebrates.