Interspecific competition between the Smooth cockroach Symploce pallens and the German cockroach Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) under different food and water regimes.
The interspecific competition between a new cockroach pest species in Southeast Asia, the Smooth cockroach, Symploce pallens (Stephens) and the ubiquitous German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) was studied under different food and water regimes (unlimited food and water [control], limited water, limited food and limited food and water). Both species were found to have equal chances to coexist when both food and water are unlimited, when food is a limiting factor, and when both food and water are limited. However, under shorter evaluation periods (eg. 60 and 120 days), the intrinsic rate of increase (rn) of S. pallens appeared to be significantly lower than that of the B. germanica. This is possibly due to the shorter nymphal development period and higher fecundity of the latter species when compared to S. pallens. Both the food and water availability factor showed significant effects on the rn of both species.
Bujang
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Department of Entomology and Nematology, Ft Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 3205 College Ave, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.
Lee
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D000818:Animals; D020048:Blattellidae / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D014867:Water