Austral Ellipsidion Cockroach

Appearance

They have long spiny legs, their antennae are longer than their body. The body is usually flat and broad so that they can squeeze into very tight gaps. The head is small and pointing downwards, concealed under the pronotum.

Behavior

This Cockroach is active at day time, running openly on the leaves and flowers. Most other cockroaches are scavengers, they feed on almost everything. We are not exactly sure what this Austral Ellipsidion Cockroach feeds on, but they are always found on plants, seldom on the ground. They are believed feeding on pollen, honeydew and mould fungus.

Reproduction

Austral Ellipsidion female produces groups of eggs enclosed together in a single capsules called oöthecae. The oöthecae sometime seen attached to the end of the female abdomen. Oötheca is a pale, soft egg-sac that hardens when exposed to air. The ovipositor valves serve as a mould that forms the oötheca. Each egg is in a shell surrounded by an air space. The Oötheca is carried for some time before it is deposited. They are usually attached on leaves or stems.