Gilbert loves his creepy crawlies

Posted Feb. 28, 2023

By Long Le

Sports Editor

They’re big. They’re creepy.  They're cute—or ugly. It’s the infestation of Gromphadorhina portentosa (Madagascar Hissing Cockroach) found in Natural Resources II teacher David Gilbert's room. 

Students don’t need to  worry: there is no infestation; they're kept in a secured container. Even if they did escape they’re not adapted to live in man made structures like the Periplaneta Americana (American Cockroach), an infestation is unlikely by these critters. 

“They provide plenty of educational opportunities and entertainment," said Gilbert.  "The kids love them." 

Some have escaped over the years and there were some stories Gilbert can tell in his freetime. Stories that changed the habits of teachers. But these incidents will no longer happen as Vaseline is smeared at the rim at the top of the container making it difficult for roaches to cling on to the plastic surface. The colony was gifted by science teacher Stacy Barber’s parents, and that colony stuck with him for 16 years. They were an essential asset in the classroom as they were used to teach arthropod anomaly. But also used for overcoming fears. Although they’re 2-3 inches long, about the size of a credit card, unlike other cockroaches they’re slow moving and their eyes hidden making them less intimidating. Students would be hesitant at first to handle them, then quickly realized the roaches have a familiar touchy feeling. The shell of the roaches feels like polished wood and their legs feel like pine needles. 

Unfortunately, Gilbert's colony as of now is in jeopardy. Mass amounts of roaches are dying off, possibly due to inbreeding as the colony has not changed in 16 years. Lack of genetic diversity results in shorter lifespan.