Adhesive feet-pads

[OBJ]

This P. vanwaerebecki was sitting on the glass partly supported by the root.

In this position it obviously showed all - including the feet.

On glass the white pads (seems to be 4 per foot) are adhesive - and quite strong, one might add.

However, they can move pretty fast if their mind is set for it, so how do they do that?

Whatever chemistry or mechanism - it has to be switched on/off all the time.

Anybody ever found an explanation to that?

BR/

Ole

 

[Ralph]

On each foot pad, there are numerous hairs tipped with a glob of oil. The vacuum created by the oil and hair combination holds the insect on. When the insect moves, the foot is peeled off the surface a few hairs at a time. This is true for some beetles, and cockroaches might have a similar method. (from For Love of Insects by Thomas Eisner)

 

[OBJ]

When the insect moves, the foot is peeled off the surface a few hairs at a time.

Thanks,It gives a picture of somebody walking with Velcro under their feet. Ok - just joking.

So it is mechanical and by turning the foot in a certain angle or way the hairs will let go easily from the surface? Otherwise exhaustion would logically occur quickly for a roach this heavy.

Did somebody here use their microscope to take a picture of the hairs? Or would that require even higher magnification?

BR/

Ole

 

[Zephyr]

Thanks,It gives a picture of somebody walking with Velcro under their feet. Ok - just joking.

So it is mechanical and by turning the foot in a certain angle or way the hairs will let go easily from the surface? Otherwise exhaustion would logically occur quickly for a roach this heavy.

Did somebody here use their microscope to take a picture of the hairs? Or would that require even higher magnification?

BR/

Ole

I have a few pictures of the tarsi close up and can get more. My microscope can only go to about 40x though, but if you'd like some pics, I'm sure one of my big hissers can spare a foot.

 

[OBJ]

I have a few pictures of the tarsi close up and can get more. My microscope can only go to about 40x though, but if you'd like some pics, I'm sure one of my big hissers can spare a foot.

Zephyr,After joining this forum for some month now I feel safe to say that 'curious' must be our middle-name! However, I would not want you to 'de-foot' one of your specimens for this sake. Maybe it could wait till one dies of old age or a weak or small male needs to go as part af the 'optimization'?

Now, bringing this subject up.... especially in my grandidieri culture there seems to be a lot of 'leg-biting' during the night - and only on females.... (Yes, you're thinking: It takes place by other species too.... )

Is that a sign of stress or is it 'normal' behaviour? The culture is somewhat overcrowded, but it seems ok since they have been given many hiding-places...

BR/

Ole