Habitat use and population structure of a polyphagine cockroach, Ergaula capensis (Saussure 1893) (Blattaria Polyphaginae) in Gabonese rainforest

Abstract

The life habits of Ergaula capensis (Saussure 1893) were studied in the Gabonese rainforest. This species inhabited treeholes or holes in termite nests at the bases of trees. Populations are scattered in less than 16% of available treeholes and not very permanent over several years. As a mean, 8.8 nymphs and sometimes one adult female were aggregated and burrowed in the dry dust at the bottom of a cavity. The oothecae were deposited at the same place. Both the density of this species and the nymphal survival were very low. Males seem less sedentary than females and one observation suggests that couples stay together before females found colonies in cavities.

Key Words:

• Ergaula
• rainforest
• Gabon
• population structure
• habitat