🔬German cockroaches have evolved a mutation that causes them to hate the simple sugar D-glucose.
🪳Glucose-averse cockroaches are less likely to be attracted to roach motels and baits.
💑Glucose-averse females are less likely to mate with glucose-averse males.
🔄Some glucose-averse males have adapted by changing the composition of their courtship treat.
🔬These adaptations have been observed in lab settings, but their occurrence in the wild is still unknown.
Why do cockroaches have an aversion to glucose?
—Cockroaches have developed an aversion to glucose as a result of a mutation on a specific gene, causing glucose to stimulate their bitter-tasting neurons instead of their sugar-tasting neurons.
How do glucose-averse cockroaches survive?
—Glucose-averse cockroaches can still eat glucose in small amounts if there is no other food available. However, their aversion to glucose makes them less fit than normal cockroaches, as they avoid foods that are beneficial for their health.
Do glucose-averse cockroaches affect population control?
—Yes, glucose-averse cockroaches are less likely to be attracted to roach motels and baits, making it harder to control their population.
How does glucose aversion affect cockroach reproduction?
—Glucose-averse females are less likely to mate with glucose-averse males, affecting their reproductive success. However, some glucose-averse males have adapted by changing the composition of their courtship treat to better attract glucose-averse females.
Are these adaptations observed in the wild?
—While these adaptations have been observed in lab settings, it is still unknown if they occur in the wild.
00:00German cockroaches have evolved an aversion to glucose, making it harder to control their population.
00:31Glucose-averse cockroaches are less likely to be attracted to roach motels and baits.
02:23Glucose-averse females are less likely to mate with glucose-averse males.
04:50Some glucose-averse males have adapted by changing the composition of their courtship treat.
05:35These adaptations have been observed in lab settings, but their occurrence in the wild is still unknown.
