Northern zebra bug (SciiFii)

The northern zebra bug (Eurycotis americanum) is a species of large cockroach, most closely related to the southern zebra bug (Eurycotis decipiens) that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. According to Richard Boggs and some other working scientists, while this species was easy to create and breed, it was difficult to introduce due to fears from many people due to the fact that cockroaches are despised by the public. However, SciiFii's scientists were able to convince that this cockroach species does not invade inside houses, hotels, or other buildings made by sapient species. Older nymphs are black and white, striped and active. Adults are flightless and climb well and attain leathery half-wings. Northern zebra bugs nutritionally benefit from a substrate of mixed organic matter. When alarmed, adults can emit an extremely foul-smelling glandular secretion through a sternal membrane, ejected up to 1 meters (3.3 feet). Nymphs do not have this ability, and the secretion is built up over roughly 60 days from its final molt into adulthood. Males that were artificially drained required 30 days to replenish the stored amount. The secretion is composed primarily of (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol, and (E)-2-hexenoic acid. The secretion is used both to deter antagonizers and as an alarm pheromone to elicit escape responses in others of its species. It can irritate the eyes of humans, and can be toxic to the cockroach in a small container. In tests with five species of rodents abundant in central California, the chemical defense was found effective at deterring predation by house mice (Mus musculus), western jumping mice (Zapus princeps), California kangaroo rats (Dipodomys californicus), and Salvin's spiny pocket mice (Heteromys salvini), but at least some California deermice (Peromyscus californicus) were able to avoid chemical exposure by pushing the cockroach's abdomen downward and feeding from its head end. Males can mate about 18 days after maturation, and females produce oothecae about every 8 days, beginning about 55 days after maturation. The oothecae are buried in soil or decaying logs, and hatch in 50 days at 30–36 °C (86–97 °F). Parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction) can occur, but the nymphal clones do not develop to adulthood. The conservation status of the northern zebra bug is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the northern zebra bug's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii