Bioluminescence Lucihormetica spp.

[Treebeard]

Hello,

I wanted to open a discussion on the subject.

This kind of cockroaches really are bioluminescent?

There are bacteria into the two yellow spots on pronotum?

would not like to guess, but hypotheses verified with scientific data.

regards

I find on the web these: http://news.mongabay.com/2012/1114-rudolph-bioluminescent-roach.html

 

[Zephyr]

I remember reading somewhere that is was the result of fungi or bacteria that the roaches eat. Considering that a diet rich in carotenoids will turn the spots orange or red-orange, I would be inclined to believe that this is the case in the wild. Considering it's probably not a priority on most scientists' lists to find out why there are glow-in-the-dark cockroaches out there, I don't think it will be solved any time soon.

Incidentally, I don't think the coloration is an example of Batesian mimicry. I have tried to feed male glowspot roaches to several reptiles (including a hungry savannah monitor) and every time they are rejected very quickly. They seem to produce a strong defensive odor, which would mean they and the Pyrophorus click beetles are probably part of a Mullerian mimicry complex.

 

[Treebeard]

which would mean they and the Pyrophorus click beetles are probably part of a Mullerian mimicry complex.

very exhaustive!

 

[nirotorin]

Yeah it bothers me that nobody knows what exactly makes them glow.

Didn't their habitat get buried in lava, or something as well?