COCKROACHES 23 



dark, almost blackish, E. lapponica, which lives in shrubs, 

 nettles, or under moss and dead leaves. It rnay some- 

 times be seen in great number, the males flying 

 actively in the sunshine from one point of vantage to 

 another. A testaceous or greyish species 1 has a 

 special liking for sandy districts, especially near the 

 coast. The third species 2 appears to be somewhat 

 rare, but has been captured in several English 

 counties, including Surrey and Hampshire. It is 

 pale straw-colour, with a reddish tint on the pronotum 

 i.e., the dorsal plate of the prothorax, which in cock- 

 roaches is a prominent feature, especially in the 

 winged adults, being usually round, and often project- 

 ing considerably over the sides and head. In E. livida 

 both sexes can fly, but in the other two species of the 

 genus the wings of the females are rudimentary. 



Female cockroaches have no ovipositors. They lay 

 their eggs in protective cases, or capsules, which vary 

 in size and form according to the species. The egg 

 capsule of the common cockroach is bean -shaped, 

 dark mahogany coloured, with a fluted ridge along the 

 dorsal side. It contains sixteen eggs, arranged in two 

 parallel rows, and is carried about protruding from 

 the posterior end of the female's body until a suitable 

 hiding-place for it is found. After hatching, the young 

 cockroaches push against the sides of the capsule, 

 thus opening a slit along the dorsal ridge, through 

 which they escape. The duration of the common 

 cockroach's life, and the number of its moults, are 

 points which have not yet been definitely established. 

 Some observers have stated that maturity is not 

 reached until the fourth year, and that the life of the 

 individual may extend to five years. In the case of 

 1 E. panzeri. 2 E. livida. 



