REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF SOME AUSTRALIAN COCKROACHES (BLATTODEA: BLABERIDAE)

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Abstract
During investigation of the life history of some Panesthiinae species, females were found to contain egg masses of a form previously unknown in natural populations. Those of Panesthia cribrata Saussure and P. australis Brunner comprised a double row of about 20 eggs partially covered by a membrane plus a number of eggs lying outside this oothecal membrane. Eggs of Macropanesthia rhinoceros Saussure and Geoscapheus dilatatus Saussure were in a loosely appressed mass with no membranous covering. P. cribrata and G. dilatatus were found to be ovoviviparous as eggs received only water from the female.In the evolution of oothecae in the Blaberidae there is a trend towards reduction of the oothecal membrane and structure. Ultimate reduction is found in Geoscapheus and Macropanesthia, in which loss of oothecal structure allows eggs to be deposited directly into the brood sac.