Lightning cockroach
The Lightning Cockroach also known as Lucihormetica luckae is the eighth newly discovered species of 2013.
Characteristics
L. luckae's back carapace features two large and one small spots inhabited by bacteria that glow when exposed to fluorescent light. The evolutionary purpose of this bioluminescence is likely to mimic the appearance of the toxic click beetle (Pyrophorus) that emits light at the same wavelength. This makes it likely that L. luckae is the first known species to use bioluminescence for defensive mimicry.
The Classification Key
Kingdom: Anamalia
Phylum: Arthopoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Blaberinae
Genus: Lucihormetica
Species: L. luckae
Characteristics
L. luckae's back carapace features two large and one small spots inhabited by bacteria that glow when exposed to fluorescent light. The evolutionary purpose of this bioluminescence is likely to mimic the appearance of the toxic click beetle (Pyrophorus) that emits light at the same wavelength. This makes it likely that L. luckae is the first known species to use bioluminescence for defensive mimicry.
The Classification Key
Kingdom: Anamalia
Phylum: Arthopoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Blaberinae
Genus: Lucihormetica
Species: L. luckae