RoachesJust as a sunflower is genetically programmed to turn
toward the sun, many plants and
animals are
phototropic-they are genetically programmed to turn away from and avoid the
Sun. Cockroaches are
nocturnal. Most nocturnal species instinctively scurry when exposed to light.
The urban roach has adapted will to its environment.
While we are asleep, dreaming away, the roach is free to loot our kitchens. By
roaming at night, it also avoids the possibility that rodents that might eat it
during the day, are not around at night. At night, the only foes roaches have
to worry about are Raid and Combat.
It is impossible to know for sure, but we believe that
roaches are
genetically programmed to avoid
predators. But
according to an entomologist the speed of a given roach’s retreat is subject to
many factors, including its species, the humidity, and how hungry it is.
But why assume that the roach is running because of
the light? Maybe it is running away from you!!
Cockroaches have
poor eyesight. Their main method of detecting danger is by sensing vibrations
around them . Roaches have 2 hornlike structures on their back called cerci.
So when you enter the kitchen for your midnight snack, chances are the roach
senses you not from sight, or by sound, but by feeling the air currents your
movement has generated.At the very least, the roach knows something is moving
around it: when you flip the light switch on, an automatic physiological
response ensues. If it hasn’t already bidden a hasty retreat, it decides that
the better part of valor is to sneak back into the crevice it came from. When
you go back to bed, it knows those bread crumbs will be right where you left
them before, and it can snack away later in peaceful darkness.
Submitted by Jill Davies of Forest, Mississippi
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