The new cockroach species looks like an alien creature in Vietnam

Scientists discovered one of the most exotic cockroaches ever known, with a very large helmet-shaped head and long legs.

Dr. Peter Vršanský and colleagues at the Slovak Academy of Science in Bratislava, Slovakia found a new cockroach species in the Tan Phu cave, located in a lava cave system a few meters from the ground in Dong Nai province, Vietnam. Description of new species of cockroaches posted in Zootaxa magazine.

According to New Scientist, this cockroach does not eat bat manure like cockroaches in other caves.Their food is bacteria and fungi. Scientists found fungal spores in their gut.

Although not eating bat manure, this cockroach takes advantage of bats to move to new caves, helping explain their appearance."In terms of morphology, this seems to be the most exotic cockroach we have ever known. It is very small, only 3mm long and eyes are single refracted , " Vršanský said.

The new cockroach species looks like an alien creature in Dong Nai, Vietnam.(Photo: Slovak Science Institute).

One of the most interesting features is a large helmet on the head that gives it the halo-like appearance when viewed from below. They are different from other cockroaches in the back hook and a "pincer" below.

These characteristics help male cockroaches mate with their mates, but they can also help them hook together to ride bats into new caves. In terms of evolution, there is little evidence that only male cockroaches move to new caves, they are more likely to bring their partners.

On the back of the cockroach there are curved wings that are not used to fly but excrete a special "chemical" as a gift for female cockroaches. Many cockroaches use this tactic to attract females, but new cockroaches are very different.

"The new species does not have the typical nitrogen-rich body like other cockroaches, so they cannot create nutritious foods that are really valuable to their children. Instead, they attract partners with chemicals. smell and keep the children tight , " Vršanský said.

"First, the four curved wings of the male cockroach hold the head of the female cockroach and put it under the head shaped like a helmet. After that, it uses a kind of pincer hook on the female's abdomen and the female genitals. This part binds tightly to the female genitalia and safely mate , " Vršanský describes.

The lava tubes in this cockroach have been discovered quite geologically, so the team believes that this organism evolved from a special creature two million years ago.