Influence of selected environmental factors upon German cockroach (Orthoptera:Blattellidae) exploratory behavior in choice boxes [Blattella germanica]

Populations of field-collected Blattella germanica (L.) were placed in one chamber of a modified Ebeling choice box and subjected to selected environmental influences. Relative importance of these influences was determined through analysis of differences in sticky-trap catches which reflected exploratory behavior. Daily trap-catch data were associated with each variable tested. The number of cockroaches caught was found to increase with environmental familiarity, increased temperature, increased number of holes between chambers (especially those located at the bottom of the partition), and food deprivation. Decreased catches resulted from increased cockroach density and fecal contamination.