Regeneration of missing limbs

[hundefrau]

Good evening

Today after coming home from uni, I found that one nymph has apparently taken quite the beating. He had lost his left front foot shortly after his last molt already and now lost the tibia and tarsus of another leg on his left side.

My question: 

Can roaches regenerate limbs with a new molt? If so, can they do it for several limbs at once?

Thanks for your help

 

[Hisserdude]

Yes, nymphs can grow back limbs when they molt, so with any luck, your nymph should have fully regenerated feet next time he molts!

 

[hundefrau]

That's good to hear I hope he makes it till then, he had a bit of trouble getting around and to the food bowl (I might have to help him and feed him baby food).

 

[stanislas]

This is actually a very interesting topic. The new leg parts actually develop within the remaining stump and after molting they fold out. 

There is an excellent article about this (Development and integrality of the regeneration leg in Eupolyphaga sinensis): 

http://www.bulletinofinsectology.org/pdfarticles/vol66-2013-173-180tan.pdf

 

[dactylus]

This is actually a very interesting topic. The new leg parts actually develop within the remaining stump and after molting they fold out. 

There is an excellent article about this (Development and integrality of the regeneration leg in Eupolyphaga sinensis): 

http://www.bulletinofinsectology.org/pdfarticles/vol66-2013-173-180tan.pdf

Thanks for sharing the article!  Very interesting.