AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO BAITING STRATEGIES FOR THE GERMAN COCKROACH, BLATTELLA GERMANICA (L.) (DICTYOPTERA: BLATTELLIDAE)

Abstract:
Though much is known about cockroach baiting systems, that knowledge is highly compart-mentalised, reducing its utility. We advocate an integrated approach to the study of cockroach baiting, which focuses on the interactions among various food components, and readily integrates across behavioural, physiological and developmental levels of analysis. An experiment planned and analysed within an intergrative framework (the ‘Geometric Framework’) is described, demonstrating the manner in which protein and carbohydrate interact in the regulation of feeding by Blattella germanica nymphs. It also demomnstrated the interactions among behavioural, physiological and developmental means of regulation. Protein status was primarily regulated through differential rates of ingestion, whereas carbohydrate was primarily regulated by post-ingestive means. Some implications for bait strategies are discussed, as well as the extension of the integrated approach to include aspects of cockroach biology beyond food composition.