Aptera fusca

Taxobox
name = Cape mountain cockroach

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Blattodea
familia = Blaberidae
subfamilia = Epilamprinae
genus = "Aptera"
species = "A. fusca"
binomial = "Aptera fusca"
binomial_authority = Thunberg, 1784

The Cape mountain cockroach, "Aptera fusca" is a giant cockroach which lives in the fynbos biome of the Western Cape region of South Africa. Adult females can be from 30 to 40 mm long. Males are slightly smaller, and have wings, which are absent in females. Unusually for insects, it gives birth to 18-24 live offspring and protects the young for a while after giving birth. When alarmed, it raises its abdomen into the air and squeaks loudly.cite book |author=Alan Weaving; Griffiths, Charles Llewellyn; Mike Picker |title=Field Guide To Insects Of Southern Africa (Field Guide Series) |publisher=Struik Publishers |location=Cape Town |year=2005 |pages= |isbn=1-77007-061-3 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=] The only other species in the Aptera genus, "A. munda", is rare, and is found in the Richtersveld.

References