Dubia Roaches
- Common Group Blaberidae
- Common Name Dubia Cockroach, Orange Spotted Cockroach
- Scientific Name Blaptica dubia
- Distribution Area Central and South America
Natural History
Dubia cockroaches are a medium to large cockroach species. They are a good starter cockroach species, as they are relatively common, inexpensive, and very interesting additions to any collection. Additionally, they make great food items for reptiles, large tarantulas, and large centipedes. Dubia cockroaches have the one of softest exoskeleton of cockroaches. They do possess wings like many other cockroach species, but they cannot climb smooth surfaces such as glass or smooth plastic. Dubia cockroaches are hearty insects and do not really require any special handling, just remember that they are living creatures and need normal, common sense care.
Size and Longevity
Dubia cockroaches generally live 1 to 2 years once mature. They can obtain sizes up to 2 inches with good care.
Housing
You have many options when it comes to housing dubia cockroaches. You can keep them in an EXTRA LARGE CRITTER KEEPER. 10-gallon glass tanks, rubber storage tubs with ventilation holes, or a 5 gallon bucket with a ventilated lid will work as well. If using a tub or bucket, be sure to cover your ventilation holes with a fine metal mesh to prevent escapes or pest insects from entering. Be creative, and pick something that works best for you. Always be sure to provide adequate ground space to allow room for food and water dishes, while still allowing of plenty of standing room for the cockroaches.
Heating and Lighting
With cockroaches, no special lighting is needed. Any ambient room lighting will be sufficient. Maintain temperatures between 75 to 95 degrees F for cockroaches of all sizes. Note: Dubia cockroaches will not breed at temperatures at or below 68 degrees F.
Substrate and Furnishing
There are many options available for bedding. ORCHID BARK and COCO SOFT ( a coconut husk product) are two of the most popular choices and among the most cost effective. Cockroaches need lots of climbing areas and places to get away from each other. The best way to accomplish this is by stacking egg crate in the cage either vertically or horizontally. Similarly, you can use CORK FLATS or CORK ROUNDS in the sam manner, and will produce a more natural appearing habitat.
Here’s another good tip to keep in mind; it can be hard to collect cockroaches off of big pieces of egg crate or cork to feed to your animals. Try providing a few used paper towel tubes and/or toilet paper rolls in which the cockroaches will hide. These are much easier to shake cockroaches out of and into any transport container you wish to use.
Water and Humidity
Dubia cockroaches can live with lower levels of humidity than most other roach species. However, it is recommended that you keep them in a relatively humid environment, as they are from the tropics of Argentina, Brazil and Guyana. Mist the cage down every other day to keep humidity levels up. If you live in a dry climate it is recommended that you mist your cage once a day.
Nutrition
Cockroaches are primarily herbivores but are very opportunistic scavengers and will eat anything you feed them. As with all animals, a cockroaches nutritional value comes from what they eat, so whatever you feed them goes directly into your animal. With that in mind, you will want to feed the cockroaches a food source that is very nutritious. This process is known as “gut loading”. A good way to gut load your feeder insects is with pre made gut loads such as NATURE ZONE TOTAL BITES, which are a vitamin supplement, food and water source all in one.
Dubia cockroaches can be fed a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables but do not feed head lettuce. Instead stick with romaine and other leafy greens, as they are more nutritious. Carrots seem to be a universal favorite. Oranges, apples, bananas, tomatoes, celery, squash, peas and pea pods, crested gecko meal replacement powder and others can also be fed. Remove uneaten food after a few days to avoid spoilage.
If you have a picky herp that won’t touch its dry pelleted foods, try feeding it to the cockroaches instead, as they will eat anything! This way the diets are still being used and transferred to your animal with the feeders being none the wiser. Additionally, you don’t waste anything. Don’t use things like fish flakes or dog food and cat food to feed roaches. These were not designed for your reptiles, and they can cause your animal more harm than good in the long run.
Breeding
Cockroaches are difficult to sex as juveniles, but when they reach adulthood it becomes easy to tell the two genders apart. The males have prominent wings and lighter colored bodies, and the females do not have wings and are generally darker in color.
Adult Cockroaches will breed quickly if provided with the right conditions. To induce breeding in dubia cockroaches, keep the cage in the mid 80’s to low 90’s day and night. As a general rule, breeding will take care of itself when conditions are correct. Eggs are normally laid in an ootheca or egg case. Females carry the ootheca (egg case) internally for about 30 days. The female incubates the egg case internally, and up to 60 young can be born at a time. The parents and offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of time. Nymphs, or baby roaches, are about the size of watermelon seeds when born, and will reach adult size 4 to 6 months.
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