Diploptera Dytiscoides, a Viviparous Roach with Elongate Pleuropodia

Of the sixteen species of cockroach in the Hawaiian Islands that are listed by Williams (1931) a few, perhaps three or four, are thought to be viviparous. Specimens of the readily available forms were collected and dissected but only one, Diploptera dytiscoides (Serville), upon examination seemed indubitably to possess the characteristics of a viviparous insect. This roach, the most abundant in the Islands, is known locally as the “beetle roach” or “cypress girdler.” It is not addicted to dwellings but abounds in the decaying leaves covering the soil.