- Reaction score
- 2,277
Cockroaches will eat anything. Except sugar, that is. Some of the common pests have evolved to learn how to detect and avoid a certain kind of glucose often used in bait traps, according to research published in the US journal Science on Thursday.
Scientists focused on the slender and small brown German cockroaches, which live all over the world in homes, offices and apartment buildings — anywhere humans tread and leave crumbs behind.
An apparent disdain for sweet-laced traps was first observed in some of these roaches in the early 1990s, about seven to eight years after commercial traps using glucose came on the market and entered into widespread use, said researcher Coby Schal of North Carolina State University.
The roaches were evolving quickly, scientists found. New generations were emerging that had inherited a genetic aversion to glucose. And now, Schal says he and his colleagues understand why. Glucose-averse roaches use their small taste-hairs to sample food first and if it contains glucose, they actually taste it as bitter, not sweet.
business.inquirer.net
Scientists focused on the slender and small brown German cockroaches, which live all over the world in homes, offices and apartment buildings — anywhere humans tread and leave crumbs behind.
An apparent disdain for sweet-laced traps was first observed in some of these roaches in the early 1990s, about seven to eight years after commercial traps using glucose came on the market and entered into widespread use, said researcher Coby Schal of North Carolina State University.
The roaches were evolving quickly, scientists found. New generations were emerging that had inherited a genetic aversion to glucose. And now, Schal says he and his colleagues understand why. Glucose-averse roaches use their small taste-hairs to sample food first and if it contains glucose, they actually taste it as bitter, not sweet.
Cockroaches can sense danger in sugar
Cockroaches will eat anything. Except sugar, that is.
business.inquirer.net
Last edited by a moderator:
