Blaberus

Blaberus
Blaberus giganteus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Blattodea
Family:	Blaberidae
Genus:	Blaberus
Species
see text

Blaberus is a genus of cockroaches. They are generally from South America. There are around 10 species in the Blaberus genus and they are popular among hobbyists as fodder for other arthropods (Blaberus discoidalis in particular serves this function) or as pets. Unlike several genera of cockroach considered to be pests, this genus of cockroach keeps its ootheca in its abdomen until the time it hatches. They generally require a relative humidity of 60%+ to thrive and temperatures above 25c (28-30c is best) to reproduce.

Blaberus giganteus is one of the world's longest roaches. Blaberus craniifer's popular name, "death's head roach" is often attributed to Blaberus discoidalis as well.

This genus contains the following species:

• Blaberus affinis Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus anisitsi Brancsik 1898
• Blaberus asellus (Thunberg 1826)
• Blaberus atropos (Stoll 1813)
• Blaberus boliviensis Princis 1946
• Blaberus brasilianus Saussure 1864
• Blaberus colosseus (Illiger 1801)
• Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838
• Blaberus discoidalis Serville, 1839
• Blaberus duckei Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus fusiformis Walker, F., 1868
• Blaberus giganteus (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Blaberus latissimus (Herbst 1786)
• Blaberus matogrossensis Rocha e Silva & Aguiar 1977
• Blaberus minor Saussure 1864
• Blaberus parabolicus Walker, F., 1868
• Blaberus paulistanus Lopes & de Oliveira 2000
• Blaberus peruvianus Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus scutatus Saussure & Zehntner 1894