The Survival of the Madeira Cockroach in Various Atmospheres

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Abstract
The Madeira cockroach ( Leucophaea maderae (F.)) has characteristics that should make it useful for biological studies on factors affecting life in outer space. In studies to determine a favorable atmosphere for survival in satellites the insects were sealed in 12-ounce containers with oxygen, nitrogen, helium, or mixtures of these gases but without food or water. Lithium hydroxide was used to absorb the carton dioxide evolved in most of the tests. The survival time was short with very low or with very high concentrations of oxygen. An atmosphere containing 55% to 58% of oxygen and 42% to 45% of nitrogen by volume appeared to be near optimum for the survival of the cockroaches, probable vided carbon dioxide was removed. The gradual reduction in the partial pressure as oxygen was utilized by the insects probably was a factor in the decrease of activity of the cockroaches and in the increase of their survival time.

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