News Animals

Cockroach personalities can speed or slow group decisions

The mix of temperaments in a scurrying mass changes the speed of collective choices

Cluster of cockroaches

GOOD COMPANY  Personalities of individual American cockroaches affect how quickly a scurrying mass chooses a shelter to hide from light.

I. Planas-Sitjá

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

View the video

Like certain other members of the animal kingdom (we’re talking about you, people!), cockroaches also have issues with personalities that drag out a group’s attempts to make collective decisions.