These cockroaches found only in Ecuador
produce their own light in what is thought
to be an attempt to mimic highly toxic
beetles and deter predators. On the left in
the cockroach under visible light, and on
the
right under a fluorescent lightbulb.
Bioluminescence is
very rare in land-based animals and the
genus of these cockroaches is one of only
three groups of insects that produce their
own light in this way (fireflies are one of
the other groups).