Blaptica dubia

Blaptica dubia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Blattodea
Family:	Blaberidae
Genus:	Blaptica
Species:	B. dubia
Binomial name
Blaptica dubia Serville, 1838
Synonyms
Blabera claraziana Saussure 1864[1] Blabera ligata Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865 Blabera dubia Serville, 1838

Dubia cockroachs: Adult Male, Adult Female, and Juvenile.

The Dubia cockroach (Blaptica dubia), also known as the orange-spotted cockroach,^[2] Guyana spotted cockroach,^[3] or Argentinian wood cockroach,^[4][5] is a medium-sized species of cockroach with grows to around 4.0–4.5 cm (1.6–1.8 in).^[6][7] They are sexually dimorphic; adult males have full wings covering their body, while females have only tiny wing stubs, their tegmina (forewings) being around a fourth of their body length.^[6][8]

Adults are dark brown to black with somewhat lighter orange spot/stripe patterning sometimes visible only in bright light. Coloration does differ slight with environment and diet from one colonly to another.

B. dubia are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young,^[9] and can give birth to 20 to 40 nymphs per month under favorable conditions.

The Dubia cockroach is found in Central and South America, beginning in Costa Rica. It is common from French Guyana and Brazil to Argentina.

Documented specimens have been found in Brazil,^[10] Argentina,^[6] and Uruguay.^[6]

Flight

While rarely known to fly, adult males have fully developed wings, and pigmented musculature typical of cockroaches able meet the rapid energy requirements of sustained flight.^[9][8] In laboratory test launches from a ramp 2.5 m high, adult male B. dubia were able to right their dorso-ventral position and rapidly deploy their wings to control and direct their descent; however, active powered flight did not maintain or increase their altitude.^[8] Adult females have only rudimentary forewings and lack the muscles required for flight, and showed no flight control in test launches.^[8]

Climbing

Because they lack developed arolium between their claws, neither adults nor juveniles can climb smooth, vertical surfaces,^[9] though juveniles have been known to climb the soft silicone seals in terraria.

Habitat

Ideal temperature range is the higher end of a 75–95 °F (24–35 °C) range. They will not breed below 68 °F (20 °C). They will not moult successfully if the humidity is too low. Dubia roaches can tolerate lower humidity than many other roach species. This species of roach will also sequester more water in its body when well fed upon fruits and water will be released at times of stress.

In captivity, enclosure humidity is less important than a supply of high moisture foods, negating the need to mist the enclosure at all when compared to some other tropical pet insect species. Captive habitats should be kept clean and dry in order to have fecal droppings dry and not provide a medium for bacterial or fungal growth. Vertically stacked egg crates greatly help in this, as does good airflow.

Diet

The Dubia cockroach is a frugivore that prefers fruits and grains, shunning such high protein sources as meat or waste droppings from other animals. They particularly like semisweet vegetable matter. Appropriate feed for raising Dubia roaches includes: carrots, all manner of tropical fruits (mangos and papayas), apples, avocados, banana, cherries, pears, oranges, strawberries, fresh corn, and lettuce (not iceberg or romaine)—many other leafy greens will be accepted. All grain-based dry cat/dog food, fish food, crested gecko meal and bearded dragon food can also be used to supplement their diet. They will also eat wheat bran and germ-based food products like assorted breads and even softened pasta, although such diets must be augmented with edible vegetation and fruit of some sort to provide sufficient water.

High starch tubers like potatoes and yams are eaten only with disdain and seemingly only for their water content.

Lifecycle

• Mating occurs when the male deposits a sperm packet in the female. This sperm packet inhibits the female from further mating.
• Females then lay an egg sack, they then pull this sack back into themselves to incubate ovovivoparitally.
• Gestation is about one month (28 days).
• Nymphs hatch inside the female. Between 20 and 40 live young, each about 2 mm long, are produced in each clutch.
• Nymphs mature in about 4–6 months depending on temperature and food supply.
• Nymphs undergo 7 instars, its pronotum grows about 25% between molts, before reaching adulthood.^[7]
• Adults live 1–2 years.

Use as feeder insect

B. dubia has become a popular feeder insect, particularly among tarantula, amphibian and reptile enthusiasts.^[7][11] Keeping or breeding the insect is made easier by their inability to jump or climb smooth surfaces, relatively slow movement, and rarity of flying.^{[12][13][11][9]} They are also quiet, unlike crickets, and tropical environmental requirements reduce the likelihood of establishment of escapees in colder, dryer climates.^[11] B. dubia can cause allergic reactions to humans,^[11] although they produce relatively little odor compared to many cockroaches.^[9]

A study found other cockroaches (Turkestan ("red runner") cockroaches, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and six-spotted cockroaches) provided a high-protein, low fat nutrition composition similar to crickets, moreso than mealworms or superworm larvae provide.^[14] The gut contents of the cockroach, depending on its diet, may provide essential nutrients unavailable from a cockroach with an empty gut.^[14] Vitamin and mineral content in studied cockroaches was well represented except for low calcium:phosphorus ratios typical in cockroaches, and relatively low vitamin A and E in captive cockroaches.^[14] Supplementation of these nutrients in feeder cockroaches may be adviseable.^[14] A study of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) found vitamin A deficiency shortened life spans and reduced reproduction rates.^[15]

Some US states do not allow importation by the general public of B. dubia, considered by some as an invasive species.^[16] A Florida man was arrested on felony charges in 2011 related to ordering 5000000 B. dubia over the internet using a doctored permit, typically issued to researchers.^[16]

Reproduction

B. dubia is an ovoviparous species, generally giving birth to live young, and pregnancy in one study lasted 48–64 days, in a 26° C environment with alternating 12-hour light and dark photoperiods.^[17] It carries the ootheca (egg capsule), which holds about 20-35 eggs, until they are ready to hatch, or may drop it earlier under stress conditions.^[11] Adults live for up to 2 years, females slightly longer than males.^[11] Growth and reproduction rates are sensitive to environmental conditions, optimally 25–30° C and above 60% relative humidity.^[11]

Mold is a deadly hazard to Dubia colonies and moisture is controlled by removing uneaten fresh fruits and vegetables within 24–48 hours of original placement. Nymphs typically use chaff or waste as a housing and food source and many breeders leave a thin layer as a substrate while cleaning off excess every couple of months. It should be noted that many people report allergic reactions after exposure to cockroach waste and so masks and/or respirators are typically used during the cleaning process. Dubia roaches are also popular with breeders in temperate climates as the roaches require warm temperatures to breed. Typically over 75 degrees F and gradient temps of 95-70 F are preferred within their enclosures. Due to the temperature requirements, the likelihood of reproduction outside the colony by escapees is minimized. Males can be territorial however and too many males in a colony often results in fighting, minimized breeding, and death. For this reason most breeders try to keep the colony at a 1 to 4 ratio of males to females and also keep the tubs in a quiet dark environment.

References

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