Eclosion and hatching in cockroach first instar larvae: A stereotyped pattern of behaviour

Cockroach pharate first instar larvae (Periplaneta americana) spontaneously initiate eclosion and hatch from the oötheca after 30 days' incubation at 29°C. The caudal-to-rostral peristaltic movements involved in both eclosion and hatching are initiated even when the first instar larvae have been removed from the oötheca and incubated separately in organ culture dishes. Therefore, environmental stimuli and conditions in situ are not necessary for the onset of eclosion. However, environmental factors associated with the cuticle control the termination and/or duration of the eclosion behaviour sequence. Larvae which had cuticles glued to their bodies had longer than normal eclosion episodes while larvae which experienced premature cuticle removal immediately ceased the movements. Cuticle removal immediately ‘switched’ behaviour from that of the larva to that of the adult with the characteristic walking gait. Eclosion in larvae removed from the oötheca could be initiated by tactile stimulation. A rôle for this response in synchronizing the eclosion-hatching movements of the many larvae within an oötheca is suggested.