Diversity and abundance of cockroaches (Insecta: Dictyoptera) in ships at Bau-Bau port

Abstract

The cockroaches’ presence in ships became global health problems because it can transmit potentially outbreak diseases to passengers and the crew. The research was conducted at Baubau Port from November to December 2017. Cockroaches were collected manually in four spots of observation (bridge, deck, galley and bathroom) using flushing agent. Total collected cockroaches were about 3,196 individuals that were grouped into 7 species, 5 genera and 3 families. The index of cockroaches’ diversity in passenger ships and cargo ships were low (H’= 0.72 and H’= 0.53, respectively). Periplaneta americana was the highest abundance, both on passenger ships (57.81%) and cargo ships (80.87%). The highest distribution of cockroaches’ infestation on the passenger ship and cargo ships were found in the galley (53.73% and 66.81%, respectively). The two species (P. americana and Blattella germanica) were the very high degree of infestation.