Changes of species specific cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in the cockroaches <i>Nauphoeta cinerea</i> and <i>Leucophaea maderae</i> reared in heterospecific groups

Abstract

Abstract The cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of the cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea and Leucophaea maderae are species‐specific when maintained in homospecific rearings. When individuals were reared in mixed species colonies, they initially remained in homospecific groups under different shelters. However, after 14 days they formed one heterospecific group with cuticular profiles showing characteristics of both species. When individuals were returned in monospecific rearings, their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles returned to species‐specific ones within 3 weeks.