INTRODUCTION

Gyrating cockroaches (Fig. 1) were first discovered 01 April 1992 at the Elvis Zoo infesting old moldy donut boxes cluttering a long-abandoned concession stand. The species subsequently was described as Gyrabdomenus magnificens by Trom and Bones (1993) and is morphologically and behaviorally atypical. When exposed to loud rock and roll music, the roaches flash long draping, bright metallic hindwings and violently gyrate their abdomens. This startling display initially was thought to be a warning signal advertising bad taste but now is recognized to be a stereotypic and essential part of G. magnificens' mating ritual (Trom and Bones 1993).

Gyrating cockroaches made their public debut 20 May 1994 at the Zoo and since have proven to be effective educational display animals. Patrons clearly enjoy the roaches' frantic agitation and often clap their hands and stomp their feet while keeping time with the wild gyrations. This paper reports a recent experiment demonstrating that dead gyrating roaches were less interesting and had lower entertainment value, to both our visitors and employees, than live roaches.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Live performance showcase: Our gyrating roach public display tank (Fig. 2) is a standard 38 l. (10 gal.) aquarium attractively rimmed with red rhinestones and bedded with hot pink gravel. It is centered on a small elevated stage near the Education Center main entrance and illuminated with colored blinking spotlights. An overhead speaker continuously blasts Jailhouse Rock to keep the roaches highly frenzied. Husbandry is similar to that for hissing roaches (Morgan 1991) except that our energetic critters' daily diet is supplemented with copious assorted stale pastries.

Experimental tank and design: A second, identical aquarium was set-up next to our regular show tank. About 100 surplus, large gyrating cockroaches were killed by exposure to massive doses of barbiturates and alcohol then dumped helter-skelter in the experimental tank. During the following week, both aquaria were treated similarly and viewer reactions were observed.

RESULTS

Visitor reactions: During Day 1-2, passing visitors showed some curiosity about experimental tank contents. But after Day 3, all Zoo guests steadfastly avoided the display area (Fig. 2), apparently due to the stench emanating from the region and the associated swarm of phorid flies.

Employee reactions: Also beginning about Day 3, the vast majority of Education Center employees began using the less convenient backdoor entrance to the building. Center receptionists, normally seated near the performance stage, further complained that they had difficulty breathing, concentrating and accomplishing work. On Day 7, my supervisor clearly indicated that it was time for me to terminate both the research project and my employment.

CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION

I conclude that live gyrating cockroaches make better public displays than dead ones. Although my simple test lacked rigorous repetitive controls, I strongly suspect that similar results would have been achieved with other roach species. Even so, gaudy, bumping and grinding gyrating cockroaches are far more spectacular and entertaining performers than most other roaches, which tend to be dreary, dull and boring garbage-sucking scavengers. Obviously, even when it comes to roaches, and especially gyrating cockroaches, there's no business like show business.

Acknowledgments: I thank all my former colleagues for their encouragement, support, and kind letters, and my loving Mother for allowing me to stay in my old bedroom while seeking new employment. And last but not least, I am especially indebted to the King, wherever he may be.

REFERENCES

Morgan, R.C. (1991): What's Brown, Has Six Legs and Hisses? Backyard BUGwatching 1 1/12:16-17.

Trom, M.J. and Bones, B.L. (1993): A new cockroach species Gyrabdomenus magnificens with notes on its unusual gyrating behavior. Journal of Arthropod News 3(4):231-345.

Figure 1: Gyrating cockroach Gyrabdomenus magnificens doing its thing.

Figure 2: Overview of display and experimental tank area conspicuously devoid of Zoo visitors.