#insect showcase

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa

Not to be completely video focused until the end of the week, but today we have a fated return to the mighty kingdom of hardy detritivores. The competition between males was much more intense this time around! While all looks peaceful during filming, this wasn't the case just a few seconds before filming started. While Cricket Thunderdome was underway in the exhibit to the left (not shown here), some of the male Cockroaches in this exhibit were testing their territoriality with one another. The most notable of which - as demonstrated by his pronotum's two prominent horns - can be seen near the beginning of this video, sitting upon the log next to a large female as he twirls his antennae. By comparison, the other males had smaller horns, akin to the more typical "bumps" or "knobs" of this specie. Individually, they attempted to challenge this larger male via headbutts and rams, only to be rammed away and off the log using his armored body and the aforementioned protruding horns. When it comes to contests like this, one aspect that may be overlooked is how a Roach can use also augment its bulk and charge using both speed and position to its advantage against a challenger. Specifically, a rapid acceleration into the side of its rival (rather than head-on) reduces the possibility of a counterattack and lifts/pushes away the rival from the underside. This strategy helped the ruling Roach ward off 2 rivals, forcing them to the ground level and beneath the log. For a short while, all is settled, with each adult male then keeping to its own territory within this exhibit ...for a while. Likely, it will be just a matter of time before one Roach tests another again, and the standing changes.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa

With this set of insect images, all pictures from the ROM for the year 2023 are proudly displayed on this blog for you to enjoy. I've already gone at length discussing these feisty beans and their habits, behaviors and routines. While many onlookers may not see these armored insects as appealing, I take great joy knowing the role that they play within their own ecosystems and the opportunities they provide for eager minds to learn (about nature and science), whether as pets or in exhibits. If you're not a Roach fan, it's worth remembering that it could be worse in terms of insect encounters. Since this specie lacks wings, it can't suddenly startle you by becoming airborne and (unintentionally) buzzing towards you... and then subsequently slam into their terrarium's glass. They can run rather quickly, however, so that may be unsettling! Nevertheless, there are many more exhibits to enjoy at the ROM if looking at exotic Roaches (and other arthropods) isn't your idea of a good time. For me, I enjoy seeing what they've gotten up to.

Having visited the ROM's "Natural World" exhibit many times before, it would be a great benefit to have additional information displayed regarding these curious insects. Although simple, there's so much to learn about them, and many myths that could be dispelled so as to not treat all Roaches as "dirty insects" (admittedly this specie does consume debris and rotting material as they are decomposers by nature). Decomposers play crucial roles within their ecosystems, and it would do well to remind people that forests, parks and jungles are born not just from their plant-life, but also the material that is broken down to sustain them. An interactive series of hissing samples would provide a lot of insight. Specifically for how these Roaches interact and communicate with each other and any other creatures they encounter. Recordings would suffice, even if hearing it live is more authentic, but in a carefully curated environment such as this one, agitating the exhibit denizens for spectacle isn't a good idea. Besides, a sudden hiss from such a small creature is quite startling the first time, especially if you're not expecting it. You may prod, but it's up to the Cockroach to determine how aggressively it will press air from its spiracles to spook you.

Superworm (Zophobas Darkling Beetle Larva) - Zophobas atratus

Previously, many images of this specie inside a terrarium have been shared on this blog. The larvae and fully developed adult Darkling Beetles are always showcased in gladness as they crawl about, explore their home, nibble at their food dish and bump against each other. While that's a fun series of images to display and observe, it doesn't provide the full picture of how Superworms navigate in terms of locomotion and the way their bodies wriggle and contort. Not to mention the speed at which they move. Hopefully this video can help demonstrate that, and also how they interact with each other given that it's only larvae in the terrarium today. No adults to find at all! From what I see here, those 6 legs have to work very hard to pull such a long body around, but the flexibility makes cornering around and under objects easy. Some crafty individuals even have the strength and grip to scale the terrarium's glass walls! However, the body itself is a lot to carry/drag around, and without prolegs to grip anything (see Caterpillars), the wrong shift of weight can send them tumbling. Fortunately, in nature these insects are found among detritus, rotting wood and dark crevices, making falling down onto their backs a minimal risk. And as a few individuals here demonstrate, they can right themselves easily with a simple rotation.

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas atratus

There's just something about today that warrants the showcase of "worms" and this particular specie of Darkling Beetle. Of course, the "worms" here aren't actual worms (referring to Annelids), there are the larval form of the armored individuals. This specie has already been covered before in detail; these pictures are actually part of the same set from a previous December post, so the information provided there also applies here. Although larvae and adults live together in the same terrarium, the latter will not eat the former. At least not while food is plentiful and there are no carcasses from expired Superworms to consider. Larvae however, are much more likely to eat each other, especially if some molt into defenseless pupae. Under the circumstances here, they aren't likely to molt while food and water are plentiful and many larvae are clustered together. Only when isolated from each other or placed in a secure environment will a larva turn into a pupa.

There are none here, but the Z. atratus pupa are brownish-white, shrimp-shaped pupa and they eventually metamorphose into the adult Beetles you see before you. It's a staggering change, but the insect world is full of many astounding transformations as larvae/nymphs grow large, mature, and sprout wings. While the adult Beetles is heavily armored and can move around with greater locomotion, security and grip, they do lose certain advantages from their time as larvae. They can easily wriggle and navigate through the earth (or wood chips here), fit into small tunnels without needing to chew and expand them, and contour themselves along a surface as sleek-formed grubs. While these advantages may be missed, what is gained in adulthood (including the abilities to fly and reproduce) is more than worth it. If they would be told what was in store for them by an insect "Herald of the Change", would they accept?

Royal Ontario Museum - Insect Exhibits 2

Good news, I managed to squeeze in one more insect visit to the Royal Ontario Museum before the end of the year! As such the living denizens of the natural history section will be showcased one more time before 2024 is upon us. Before that, I'd like to take a moment to share new pictures from the insect displays within the natural history section. Compared to the pictures from 2019, these are a quantum leap forward in terms of clarity and use of lighting. The Peanut Bug - Fulgora laternaria (Picture 1) has always been a favorite of mine, so I always take the opportunity to go and visit it and marvel at the ridiculousness of the size of that head protuberance. Though a bit oversized, such a head fixature has an important function: knocking it against a tree is its mating call. If the attention they draw is unwelcome, they can startle their voyeurs with the eyeball spots on its wings. These markings are more prominent in live specimens; this pinned specimen's colors have faded away over time. You can even compare the images from 2019 and you'll see a difference in color saturation. Otherwise, when this Hemipteran is at rest, it looks similar to a helmeted Cicada with more opaque wings. In terms of relations however, the Peanut Bug is more closely related to the Spotted Lanternfly of Asia, as they are both part of the family Fulgoridae.

I'm also particularly fond of the texture of the Shining Leaf Beetle's (Picture 3 - Chrysophora chrysochlora) ornate emerald shell, and the tropical colors of the Weevils on display. Especially the blue Eupholus specimens (Picture 9 - right side specimens). Finally, I also noticed a new section (to me) in the animal gallery featuring Butterflies of the tropics and I'm still amazed at how large they are. Many of these iridescent, vibrantly-colored specimens have wingspan sizes that can be as large as a hand! They are more appropriately known as Birdwing Butterflies and they are all giants compared to the Butterflies that grow in the temperate climate of Toronto! The specimens focused on here are the Green Goliath Birdwing (Ornithoptera goliath - Pictures 2, 5 and 6), the black-and-white female Priam's birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus - Picture 8), the male Palawan Birdwing (Trogonoptera trojana - Picture 10 top), Wallace's Golden Birdwing (Ornithoptera croesus - Picture 10 middle) and the female Paradise Birdwing (Ornithoptera paradisea - Picture 10 bottom), but there are many more in the background. To glimpse these in person is wonderful, but seeing them flying around in their tropical environments would be a magical experience!

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Please come and see the bugs if you can, both the living insect specimens and the many displays. You may go to this link and view a post from earlier: ROM - Insect Exhibits 1.

Since these insect collections belong to the ROM, I’ve marked them with the Mantis icon. As well, Happy first day of Winter (tomorrow)!

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas atratus

I had last seen the insects within this exhibit on May 16, 2023 and presented them into a combo-post with the other live insects on display. Previously, the majority of Zophobas Beetle individuals to see were adults with a few "Superworms" crawling around the environment. It's now 7 months later and the population dynamics of the terrarium have changed. There are plenty of adult Zophobas Darklings roaming around along their structures and the floor, but compared to last time, the amount of Superworms has substantially increased! It might just be dead-even between the adults and grubs. Some of the adult Beetles were scuffling among each other (see Pictures 1 and 3), but it didn't seem to carry very much aggression. In a controlled environment disputes over territory and resources should be rare as the environment is deliberately constructed and food is always provided. However, if there are many individuals in an area and not many good spots to hide, perhaps a challenge must be issued to show which Beetle is the boss for the day. This may also be a result of mating behavior...as can be seen in the background of Picture 1 with a lovely pair sneaking away (or at least, there's an attempt being made). Conversely, the Superworm population has expanded with many young individuals crawling, looping and wriggling throughout the chips, logs and holes. The larvae are long and wiry, and can easily navigating the bodies through the chewed holes and onto the shells of the adult Darklings.

Although the largest specimens are the most impressive, there are Beetle Grubs at all variety of different sizes and thusly different stages of development (refer to Picture 2). Some many be thin and worm-like, while others (such as the individual in Picture 9) can truly be called "Super". The larger the grub, the further along it is in instar count and the sooner until it's time for pupation! Superworms on display likely need to be monitored very closely as they cannot actually pupate in the presence of other Superworms, but usually as a result of overcrowding (which this does not appear to be). Since the description of this exhibit (not pictured) was updated to include the image of a pupa, it's possible that the metamorphosis process is available for the public to glimpse. I saw no pupae, but if I were a Superworm, I think I'd like to be hidden during the 2 week long transformation in a place such as under a log or buried in the ground. Though many individuals in many stages of development share this home, there is no apparent cannibalism going on. Don't be fooled, however, as these Beetles have mandibles powerful enough to chew through wooden fibers, so should they ever lack protein or carbohydrates, a juicy Superworm might be just the ticket!

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa

With this post, we conclude the revisiting of the insect exhibits at the ROM for now, but I will return again very soon. Along with revisiting the previous insects from the last few weeks, I’d really like to show and tell you about the Honeybee hive in the natural world section (hopefully when the weather turns warmer). Until then, we conclude with a short post featuring these giant Cockroaches. These individuals were previously showcased in a video that displayed the locomotion of a female specimen, while all the rest were resting nearby. As social insects, they don’t mind each other’s company and even welcome in the company. More legs on the ground means more friends to scurry about and search for food and shelter!

They don’t have the specific caste structure that would make them eusocial insects, so at best they can currently be seen more as aggregations than having a colony. They’d have quite a few jumps to make, but if Termites (their closest relatives) can become eusocial over many years, maybe such a phenomenon could reach Roaches on a grand scale as well. Maybe not any time soon, given the lack of evolutionary pressure on them. They can scamper and hiss if a treat is sensed, and that’s about as crazy as it gets for them...unless you’re a male. Those bumps on their head aren’t just for show. When it’s time to claim a mating territory, the ramming and flipping over begins. There’s at least three males inside this terrarium so you’ll have to draw your own conclusions. Next time I go and visit, I’ll ask how (if at all), they manage aggressive, territory defending Roaches. Bit of an awkward question to ask I realize. Until I have an answer, please enjoy the closeups of these wonderful scampering detritivores resting in their exhibit. It’s all a leisurely show until the lights are turned off.

Zophobas Darkling Beetle and Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Exhibits - Zophobas atratus & Gromphadorhina portentosa

The showcase before you is my follow-up to my last visit to the ROM to see the insects (and the T. rex exhibition) and is the second double showcase to appear on this blog since Halloween’s autumnal insect post in the sunshine. 

Since these insects have appeared on this blog several times before, there’s little new information to add to their respective pages, but the Zophobas Beetles and Hissing Cockroaches are certainly worth re-examining, and so they can share the spotlight together. Beginning with the latter, they continue to lounge along their habitat of wood chips and log pieces, most sitting at rest aside from the female individual helping herself to the vegetable plate and a large male occupying the water bottle. If you lead a Cockroach to water, can you make him drink? Yes, with the “cotton wick” method. The plug made of fluff is designed to optimize use of the Roaches’ mouthparts and drink water absorbed by the fluff, rather than lapping it up in droplet form. Water dishes seemingly would work too if all the specimens are large-sized. As these crunchy detritivores primarily obtain moisture from the plant matter they eat the water is supplementary, but definitely necessary as the bits of broccoli, apple and carrot dry out with provoked exposure to the terrarium lights above. 

Onto the Darkling Beetles now! Unlike their lounging Roach neighbors, the Darklings were quite active during this visit! There were only a few individuals on the edges of the terrarium, including what appears to be a mating pair (find them on Pictures 2 and 4). Surprisingly, among all the dark, armored shells, there was an active Superworm! The larvae should get along with the adults and without other larvae nearby, it may pupate soon. On the off chance someone reads this and then visits the ROM’s insects, keep an eye out for a pale exoskeleton that is wide at the head and narrowing towards the abdomen. Upon emergence from the exuvia, the new adult begins pale and gradually darkens. With an average pupation time of 2 weeks, all eyes need to be on that Superworm! Meanwhile, looking at the active adults we see most of them moving around their vegetable plate and settling on the best spot to eat a bit of salad or apple. It’s very efficient that both Darklings and Hissing Roaches have a similar diet, and (humorously) neither have the wherewithal to consider what the scorpion next door eats. It looks peaceful during feeding, but even vegetarians can get territorial and aggressive under the right circumstances. Without horns, elaborate mandibles or carnivorous instincts, I wonder what happened to the Darkling Beetle in Picture 3 that would result in an exposed abdomen and open wingcase. Any suggestions?