Diploptera punctata


Diploptera punctata, the Pacific beetle cockroach, is a species of cockroach in the family Blaberidae and subfamily Diplopterinae. It is one of the few cockroach species that is viviparous. Adults are chemically defended, having a modified tracheal gland and spiracle on each side which squirts quinones which can poison or discourage a predator.

Life stages

Diploptera punctata has 4 nymph stages, which are wingless. The adult is winged, and the adult male is smaller than the female.

Distribution

Diploptera punctata can be found in Australia, Myanmar, China, Fiji, Hawaii, and India.

Milk

Diploptera punctata produces a nutritionally dense crystalline "milk" to feed their live-born young.
The milk produced by Diploptera punctata is composed of hydrosoluble proteins and provides essential amino acids to the developing embryo such as lysine, leucine and valine.