Neostylopyga rhombifolia

Neostylopyga rhombifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Neostylopyga
Species:
N. rhombifolia
Binomial name
Neostylopyga rhombifolia
(Stoll, 1813)

Neostylopyga rhombifolia, the harlequin roach, is a species of flightless cockroach in the family Blattidae.[1][2][3] It is a synanthropic species, often found in houses, and it is usually considered a pest. It has been introduced globally to tropical and subtropical regions as a result of trade. Its original native range is unknown, but is believed to be somewhere in tropical Asia.

Harlequin roach adults are around 20 to 27 mm (0.79 to 1.06 in) long. Both males and females are flightless. They lack hindwings, and the forewings (tegminia) are reduced to two small lobes. Both also have distinctive black and yellow patterns. Females are typically larger and stouter than males.[4][5][6] Harlequin roaches are popular as pets due to their striking coloration.[6]

Harlequin roaches produce a strong-smelling chemical defense, amyl acetate, that has been compared to almond, cherry, pear, or banana extracts.[6]

The mitochondrial genome of the harlequin roach was sequenced in 2016.[7]

Harlequin roach, Neostylopyga rhombifolia

References

  1. ^ "Neostylopyga rhombifolia Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
  2. ^ "Neostylopyga rhombifolia". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
  3. ^ Beccaloni, G.W. (2019). "Cockroach species file online, Version 5.0". Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  4. ^ Hebard, Morgan (1917). "The Blattidae of North America, north of the Mexican boundary". Memoirs of the American Entomological Society (2).
  5. ^ Rentz, David (2014). A Guide to the Cockroaches of Australia. CSIRO PUBLISHING. ISBN 9781486300389.
  6. ^ a b c Headrick, David (2011). A Dictionary of Entomology. CABI. p. 669. ISBN 9781845935429.
  7. ^ Ma, Jinnan; Du, Chao; Zhou, Chuang; Sheng, Yongmei; Fan, Zhenxin; Yue, Bisong; Zhang, Xiuyue (2017-05-09). "Complete mitochondrial genomes of two blattid cockroaches, Periplaneta australasiae and Neostylopyga rhombifolia, and phylogenetic relationships within the Blattaria". PLOS ONE. 12 (5): e0177162. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1277162M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177162. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5423650. PMID 28486518.


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