WTB Plectoptera sp. roaches

P

pannaking22

Gyna
Probably a long shot, but I'm looking to get some Plectoptera sp. roaches from the southeast US. Only two species are present that I know of, P. picta and P. poeyi.

P. picta - http://bugguide.net/node/view/454747

P. poeyi - http://bugguide.net/node/view/1071902

These seem to be introduced species, but all Bug Guide records at least indicate Florida as a potential place to find them. P. picta seems to have a larger range and has been introduced in eastern Texas, North Carolina and Virginia, though I haven't been able to find specimen records yet. As I find more info on them (especially habitat info) I'll update this thread.

Please send me a PM here on Roach Forum and we can work something out. I have plenty of inverts to trade, both live and dead, but can pay if need be.

 
I wish I had some, but I thought I could comment with some information.  P. poeyi is native to the Florida Keys. I've taken several intensive bug hunting trips there and have failed to turn up any, but I imagine someone who could go there with a MV or black light bulb would have much better luck if they were to use those tools in hardwood hammocks.

This paper discusses their distribution a bit more, as well as other cockroaches in the Florida Keys.
http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/article/download/58549/56228

 
From what I've heard they seem to hang out on palm trees, but I wonder if that's just incidental (it's only from a couple records). It seems like those hardwood areas were much more productive though. I think taking one or both of those bulbs down there would make a world of difference. 

Thanks for posting that paper as well! It's interesting that they seemed to collect pretty large numbers of P. poeyi while in the Keys. I wonder if the other records on BugGuide are from more recently established population, so they aren't all that common yet. 

 
I don't know that 77 is very many; keep in mind, that was spread across the entire study area (all across the Keys) across their entire study period. Plectoptera spp. may naturally be uncommon where found. I'll certainly be bringing some sort of light with me next time.

 
Hydrophilus said:
I don't know that 77 is very many; keep in mind, that was spread across the entire study area (all across the Keys) across their entire study period. Plectoptera spp. may naturally be uncommon where found. I'll certainly be bringing some sort of light with me next time.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. It just seemed like a higher number compared to some of the other species.

nepenthe said:
One of my labmates is doing some research in the Keys this summer.  I'll definitely hunt for them if I end up tagging along!
Click to expand...
That would be awesome, thank you!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top