Group formation and dispersal in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

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dc.contributor.authorBret, Brian Louisen
dc.contributor.committeechairRoss, Mary H.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCochran, Donald G.en
dc.contributor.committeememberEaton, John L.en
dc.contributor.departmentEntomologyen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:47:15Zen
dc.date.adate2008-10-30en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:47:15Zen
dc.date.issued1982-08-12en
dc.date.rdate2008-10-30en
dc.date.sdate2008-10-30en
dc.description.abstractThe studies presented here are an effort toward learning about the behavior of small mixed populations of German cockroaches. Of particular interest was the effect of female cockroaches on the behavior of the group, particularly the group formation within a harborage and the dispersal from a harborage. The effect of females was looked at with respect to female density and reproductive state. Populations aggregated at low female densities. This response increased when densities of gravid females increased but decreased when densities of non-gravid females increased. The effects of female reproductive state on dispersal could not be determined as non-gravid females developed egg cases by the end of the study. Increased female density caused increased dispersal of females and mid-instars. The mid-instars were the primary dispersers in each experiment. Early instars, excluding escapees, dispersed least. The results of these studies indicate the females of a population can mediate the behavior of that population and its members. It is postulated that this may be achieved by the production and/or regulation of sex, aggregation, and dispersal-inducing pheromones by females.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentiv, 102 pages, 2 unnumbered leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-10302008-120506en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10302008-120506/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/35536en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1982.B737.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 09421582en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1982.B737en
dc.subject.lcshBlattella germanicaen
dc.subject.lcshInsects -- Dispersalen
dc.titleGroup formation and dispersal in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)en
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineEntomologyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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