Movement in cockroach

MOVEMENT IN COCKROACH

•    The body of a cockroach is covered with a hard outer skeleton.

•    Cockroaches have a pair of antennae that help them to smell things.

•    They also have a pair of cerci that can detect the slightest of movements and warn them of any danger from behind.

•    Though cockroaches have two pairs of wings, they can only fly short distances.

•    However, they are able to run and climb very fast across a variety of surfaces.

•    Cockroaches walk in a very interesting manner, moving three legs at a time.

•    Like all insects, cockroaches have three pairs of legs.

•    According to scientists, tiny hairs on a cockroach’s back act as sensors and are designed to bend easily.

•    These hairs are oriented in all possible directions and can sense changes in wind movement - from all sides.

Movement in cockroach

In figure (A) green dots (legs of the cockroach) move forward while red dots (legs) remain on the ground

(B) red dots (legs of the cockroach) move forward while  green dots (legs) remain on the ground

•    Cockroaches are very, very sensitive to minute changes in air movements.

•    Subtle shifts in wind patterns bend the hair in a particular direction.

•    This signal is sent to the nerve cells.

•    The cells process the information and guide the cockroach to take an action. All this takes place instantaneously.

•    A cockroach differentiates between regular wind patterns and the kind of slow-moving air that signals the approach of an attacker.

•    Normal wind flow creates mixed-up swirl patterns. However, the movement of a foot generates a smoother, slower wind pattern.