The possibility of testing antiparasitical substances using the cockroach as a model

Abstract

Products used against parasitic arthropods must be tested for their efficacy. Because the supply of parasitic organisms for such tests may be a limiting factor, it is best to conduct these tests with a model organism. We show that the cockroach is a suitable model organism because it is easy to keep and to breed. Moreover, all stages of these animals are more resistant than, or at least as resistant as, the corresponding parasites, so the results with cockroaches can also be taken as valid for ectoparasites.