Conglobulation
Guides
Blaberidae
Giant Cockroaches, Blaberids
Blaberidae is the second-largest family of cockroaches with over 1,260 species in 170 genera and 14 subfamilies. Members are distinguished as the only ovoviviparous cockroach family, where females retract the ootheca into the body and give birth to live nymphs. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in form and behavior, including burrowing species, conglobulating (ball-rolling) pill roaches, and hissing cockroaches. Many species are kept as pets or feeder insects.
Leucochrysa
green lacewings
Leucochrysa is a genus of green lacewings in the family Chrysopidae, containing approximately 196 described species as of 2013. The genus is restricted to the Americas and is characterized by distinctive larval behaviors including trash-carrying and defensive conglobulation. Adults exhibit color polymorphism, and some species deposit eggs in clusters. Larvae of at least some species are known to carry debris on their backs for camouflage and protection.
Leucochrysa pavida
Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing
Leucochrysa pavida is a green lacewing species in the family Chrysopidae, distributed across North America, Central America, and South America. Its larvae are notable for carrying lichen and other debris as camouflage, a behavior that distinguishes them from many other chrysopid larvae. The species was first described by Hagen in 1861 and has been studied for its distinctive defensive behaviors.