STUDY OF FEEDING AND GREGARIOUS BEHAVIOR OF TWO SPECIES OF ECTOBIIDAE; Loboptera decipiens AND Loboptera ovolobata (BLATTODEA)
MASNA FATIHA
Department of Natural Sciences, ENS Taleb Ebderrahman, Laghouat, Algeria and Mechanics Laboratory Team, Department of Mechanics, University of Amar Telidji, Laghouat, Algeria.
BOUNADJI SIHAM
Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohamed Boudiaf, M'Sila, Algeria.
BENHISSEN SALIHA *
Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohamed Boudiaf, M'Sila, Algeria.
HEDJOULI ZAKARIA
Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.
ASLOUM ABDELMADJID YAGOUB
Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems, Department of Biology Faculty of Science, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.
HABBACHI SARA
Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.
HABBACHI WAFA
Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This work aims to study the feeding and gregarious behavior of the two species of forest cockroaches, Loboptera decipiens and Loboptera ovolobata, collected in the Aflou region (Laghouat; Algeria). So we tested the attractiveness of these species via the odors of the two extracts, Aleppo pine leaves or Loboptera species. These tests were carried out in a closed enclosure under the controlled temperature and humidity conditions of the breeding room. Time was recorded with a stopwatch.
For food tests, the results showed that both species L. decipiens and L. ovolobata were significantly attracted to the hexane extract of Aleppo pine leaves (30min). Gregarious tests show that the larvae are attracted to the smell of the hexane extract of larvae of the same species. while, adult species are attracted to the scent of the haxan extract from both adults ( they cannot distinguish the scent of their species).
Keywords: Loboptera decipiens, loboptera ovolobata, Laghouat, feeding behavior, gregarious behavior, Aleppo pine