Which of the following features is used to identify a male cockroach from a female cockroach?
- Forewings with darker tegmina
- Presence of caudal styles
- Presence of anal cerci
- Presence of a boat-shaped sternum on the 9th abdominal segment
Answer
(2) Presence of caudal styles
Solution
As per NCERT, in both sexes the 10th abdominal segment bears a pair of jointed filamentous anal cerci ⇒ not a distinguishing feature.
In males, the genital pouch bears a pair of short, thread-like anal (caudal) styles, which are absent in females ⇒ used to identify a male.
Tegmina occur in both sexes, and the boat-shaped brood pouch is formed by the 7th sternum of the female.
Answer: (2)