But they are interested in what other roaches do, according to a study conducted using “robo-roaches” – little robot bugs covered in roach scent, and programmed to respond to light and the proximity of roaches. Turns out the behavior of the robo-roaches could affect the behavior of the group. I actually read about this study a few months ago, but here it is again in a different publication, and still fascinating.
To me, the question that arises is, if you COULD program the robo-roaches to lead cockroaches to poison, how long would it take before roaches exposed to these guys evolved to detect and avoid the faux-ches?
(The other question is, why am I still up?)
1 Comment
November 16, 2007 at 1:09 am
I often ask myself the same question. Sometimes it’s just so hard to pull yourself away from the computer.