1968] 
Barth — Behavior of Eurycotis 
275 
located between the sixth and seventh abdominal sternites. The 
secretion which is produced only by adults, consists chiefly of trans 
2-hexenal and has been shown to be an effective deterrent for certain 
potential predatory (Roth, Niegisch, & Stahl, 1956; Stay, 1957; 
Dateo and Roth, 1967). 
Roth and Willis (1954) have made a few observations on the 
mating behavior of E. floridana. According to their account, the 
male stands near the female repeatedly vibrating his body from side 
to side and extending his abdomen slightly, revealing the light colored 
intersegmental membrane between the sixth and seventh tergites. 
The female then applies her mouthparts to the male’s dorsum, start- 
ing near the posterior tip of the abdomen and gradually working 
forward, straddling his abdomen, until the first abdominal tergite 
(on which is located a small glandular area bearing a patch of 
setae) is reached. After genital connection is achieved, the pair 
assume the opposed position characteristic of cockroaches in copula. 
Description of Normal Mating Behavior 
The following description of the mating behavior of E. floridana 
is based on observations of five successful copulations and numerous 
unsuccessful copulation attempts. The mating behavior of this species, 
particularly the early stages of the sequence, differs markedly from 
that considered typical for cockroaches. (For a description of the 
typical pattern, see Barth, 1968c). One obvious difference is, of 
course, the absence of a wing raising display in the male. Owing 
to the extreme variation in the sequence of activities during mating 
behavior in this species, it has been impossible from the limited 
amount of data available to determine with any degree of certainty 
the releasers of the various activities in the sequence, or even to 
determine the usual sequence. For this reason, a slightly different 
procedure from that employed heretofore (Barth, 1964; 1968a & b; 
Roth & Barth, 1967) will be followed in the discussion of the 
mating behavior of this species. First a courtship sequence which led 
to a successful copulation will be described. Then some of the dif- 
ferences observed in other sequences will be discussed. Finally an 
attempt will be made to draw what conclusions concerning releasers 
can be drawn from the limited amount of data available. 
1. A single mating behavior sequence 
This particular sequence was initiated by the female approaching 
the male. Each animal waved its antennae back and forth vigorously 
and repeatedly stroked the other’s body with them. The abdomen 
