Influence of starvation and lighting on the movement behavior of the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae).

Computerized moving-image analysis measured the influence of starvation and lighting conditions on the locomotor activity of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Starvation increased the distance traveled, velocity, and the proportion of time in motion of adult males and last instars but did not increase adult female movement. For females, males, and nymphs, starvation increased cockroach residence time around the source of water and harborage and decreased the distance traveled by females and nymphs around the observation arena's edge. Fluorescent light reduced the proportion of time in motion for males, but the velocity of males was greater in fluorescent light relative to infrared light. Adult males and females stopped more frequently in infrared light. Overall, males and nymphs were more mobile than females and they explored larger areas. The moving-image analysis technique is an efficient and accurate tool for observing movement of individual cockroaches and has applications in repellency, attractancy, and basic movement behavior studies.