A recent study conducted on Pacific Beetle Cockroaches has revealed something that not many would have given a thought to, but it certainly has revealed something hugely interesting. The study states that the the milk of the Pacific Beetle Cockroach, which it feeds to its bugs 'is remarkably rich in protein, fat and sugar' and although it is true that it won't be sold in tetra packs anytime soon, it is an interesting revelation.
CNN spoke to the experts about the research including Becky Facer of Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta and Leonard Chavas, a scientist involved in the study. Facer said, "Any liquid harvested from a cockroach is not true milk. At least not as we think of it," The report stated, "Most people would agree. After all, the insect liquid takes the form of protein crystals in the guts of baby cockroaches." Mr. Chavas said, "The protein crystals are milk for the cockroach infant. It is important for its growth and development. The interest here was, what is it really made of?"
The CNN report stated, "Chavas and his colleagues examined the species, also known as Diploptera punctata, which is the only species of cockroach known to be viviparous -- able to bring forth live babies that have developed within the mother's body, instead of the mother laying eggs to develop outside her body.Like other viviparous creatures, this species of roach nourishes its growing embryos with a protein-rich liquid secreted by its brood sac -- the roach version of a uterus. Soon after the embryo ingests the liquid, protein crystals develop within its midgut. Chavas and his colleagues extracted one of these crystals to learn more about it and its potential nutrition. Following tests and even genome sequencing, they discovered it was a complete food."
