Learning and memory in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus)

Abstract

This paper describes two experiments aimed at establishing the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus) as a model organism for behavioral research. While many invertebrate models are available, cockroaches have several benefits over others that show impressive behavioral abilities. Most notably, cockroaches are long-lived generalists that can be maintained in controlled indoor laboratory conditions. While the most popular cockroaches in behavioral research, Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica, have the potential to become domestic pests, our E. posticus is extremely unlikely to escape or infest a human environment, making it a very practical species. In our first experiment, we investigated the ability of E. posticus to associate novel odors with appetitive and aversive solutions. They quickly learned to approach odors associated with a dog food sucrose solution and learned to avoid odors associated with salt water. The second experiment repeated the methods of the first experiment, while also testing retained preferences for conditioned odors, from 15 to 1,215 minutes after the conditioning procedure ended. We found that preferences for odors associated with food were strongest 45 minutes after training, then decreased as a function of time. Our work is the first to show associative learning and memory in the orange head cockroach. Findings are discussed in comparison to other invertebrate models as well as to other cockroach research.

Cyborg insect repeatable self-righting locomotion assistance using bio-inspired 3D printed artificial limb

“…An observational study spanning one month was conducted subsequent to the attachment of a backpack to a cockroach in order to comprehensively gauge its impact on the insect's behavior. This study differs from other behavioral studies which primarily account for obtaining food, a basic necessity 31,32 . Most notably, the insect exhibited a discernible likeness to evade intense light sources and seek refuge in the shelter of shadows.…”