Evaluation of respiration rates and water balance in female German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) and their oothecae during embryogenesis

Respiration rates and water loss were measured in German females and detached oothecae after oothecal formation until hatch. The gravid female discontinuous gas exchange cycle (DGC) remains fairly constant during oothecal maturation, with increases in overall metabolism of the female and maturing oothecal with time. Metabolic rates of intact oothecae separated from females reflect the developmental processes of the maturing embryos.