1 86 
Psyche 
[December 
Nauphoeta cinerea: The effect of starvation on oocyte development 
in Nauphoeta is shown in figure 6. The oocytes of starved virgin 
females develop more slowly and to a lesser degree than those of fed 
virgin females. When starved females were mated the oocytes matured 
in the same period as fed mated females. In Leucophaea, females that 
were starved but mated failed to deposit yolk in the oocytes and Engel- 
mann (i960) concluded that the brain properly integrated the differ- 
ent afferent stimuli (inhibitory during starvation and activating from 
mating) into messages to the corpora allata and the endocrines were 
not activated. Nauphoeta differs from Leucophaea in that the oocytes 
of starved females become well developed and mating adds sufficient 
stimulation to the corpora allata for the oocytes to mature normally 
in spite of the absence of food. 
Blaberus craniifer: Seven virgin females of Blaherus craniifer were 
starved (with water) for 22 to 39 days. In 6 females the oocytes 
measured 4.821+10.19 mm.; one female had oocytes that did not de- 
velop (1.38 mm.). The oocytes of fed females 22-38 days of age were 
5.61 ±0.1 1. Although there may be a slightly slower rate of growth 
of the oocytes in starved females, food is unnecessary for initiating 
activity of the corpora allata. 
Byrsotria fumigata: Twenty-four virgin Byrsotria were starved 
(with water) for 20 to 45 days. Six females starved 20 to 24 days 
had oocytes 4.22 ±0.3 5 mm. long. Eight starved 29 to 40 days had 
oocytes 4.86=1=0.36 mm. in length (several had oocytes that had begun 
to degenerate). Two females had small undeveloped oocytes (0.88 
=±=0.01 mm.) and 8 had small, round, abnormally shaped oocytes. 
Thirty-three virgin females were starved without water for 26 to 50 
days. Nine (starved 26 to 43 days) had oocytes 5.01 ±0.30 mm. long. 
Twelve had large oocytes that were degenerating. Five females ovi- 
posited in 34 to 38 days; four had undeveloped oocytes (1.14=1=0.08 
mm.) and 3 had small abnormally shaped oocytes. The oocytes of 
virgin females fed for 20 to 24 days were 4.85 =1=0.32 (N=i7) and 
for 29 to 40 days, 6.36=1=0.22 (N = 39). Although the oocytes of 
starved females may not grow quite as rapidly as unstarved individu- 
als, neither food nor water are necessary for growth of the oocytes in 
Byrsotria. 
The degree to which cockroaches depend upon food intake for stim- 
ulation of the corpora allata varies among the species. The forms may 
be arranged in a series showing complete dependence to complete 
independence upon food for oocyte development. The effects of star- 
vation may be summarized as follows: 
1. Oocytes do not develop (Leucophaea, Blattella germanica, and 
Blattella vaga). 
