Influence of Thermal and Populational Variables on Locomotor Activity in Gromphadorhina portentosa

For developing efficient cyborg cockroaches for search and rescue operations (SAR), characterizing Gromphadorhina portentosa is crucial for optimizing its potential as a biohybrid platform. This study examines how controlled thermal conditions and population factors, specifically gender and body length, affect key locomotor parameters of Gromphadorhina portentosa using a custom motion tracking and a temperature control systems. We analyzed the movement of 42 individuals across six temperature groups ranging from 18°C to 38°C. Mixed models and post-hoc analysis revealed non-linear thermal effects on locomotor performance, with an optimal activity peak at 30°C while minimums at 18°C and 34°C. Maximum acceleration, maximum velocity, and detention percentage showed the greatest sensitivity to temperature. Gender had minimal influence on temperature, while body length was moderately associated with total travel and average velocity. These findings enhance the current understanding of the behavioral and environmental effects on Gromphadorhina portentosa, contributing to the development of more efficient cyborg insect systems and highlighting the importance of environmental optimization in biobotic engineering.