False Death’s head cockroach “Blaberus discoidalis”

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False Death’s head cockroach “Blaberus discoidalis”

Also known as:

  • discoid cockroach
  • tropical cockroach
  • West Indian leaf cockroach
  • Haitian cockroach

Taxonomy;

Domain: Eukaryota, Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Insecta, Order: Blattodea, Family: Blaberidae, Genus: Blaberus, Species: B. discoidalis

Origin;

This cockroach is native to Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Florida. They live in the forest floors, hiding in leaf matter and rotting wood.

Description;

This is a medium size cockroach when it has matured to an adults reaching 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) or more. Male and female death’s head roaches look very similar, females are slightly larger with a rounded abdomen. They are tan, black and amber in colour, Both males and females have a Tan, black marking on the pronotum (top of it’s head), Which can get them confused with the Death Head roach

Please note that there is a difference in patten / colour of the head when compared to the Blaberus craniifer “Death’s head cockroach”

Nymphs of this species are oval shaped with a brown with tan speckles colouring

Diet;

This cockroach feeds on leaf litter and fresh fruits and vegs, We have found that they like a small bowl of water or a jelly pot

Enclosure;

These cockroaches are a non-climbing species, they cant climb their glass/plastic tanks to escape, The adult do have wings but they do not fly, They may jump / glide to get our of your way.

The enclosure should have around 3 inches of substrate, as Nymphs will burrow while they are young,  with a good layer of leaf litter, this will also be a food source as-well as hiding spare for the roach. Make sure to supply them multiple pieces of Corkbark.

Temperature should be kept around 29-35C (85-95F), with the humidity about 65-85%.

Breeding;

Death head Cockroaches are slow breeders. Gestation period lasts around 55 to 65 days, then the ootheca is ejected and the larvae free themselves

Feeders;

This species of cockroach can be used as a feeder roach for reptiles and tarantulas, bearded dragons, and other lizards

 

Author: Mark Goodwin, Bugs & Beyond

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