Dubia roach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dubia roach |
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Blaptica
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| Species: |
dubia
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The dubia roach (also called the orange-spotted roach or Argentinian wood roach) is a type of cockroach. It's known scientifically as Blaptica dubia. These medium-sized insects grow to be about 40 to 45 millimeters long.
Contents
What Dubia Roaches Look Like
Dubia roaches look different depending on if they are male or female. This is called sexual dimorphism. Adult males have full wings that cover their bodies. But adult females only have small wing stubs.
Adult dubia roaches are usually dark brown or black. They sometimes have lighter orange spots or stripes. Their color can change a bit based on where they live and what they eat.
Female dubia roaches give birth to live young. This is a special way of having babies called ovoviviparous. Under good conditions, a female can have 20 to 40 baby roaches (called nymphs) each month.
Where Dubia Roaches Live
The dubia cockroach lives in the southern parts of South America. They have been found in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Their Home Environment
Dubia roaches like warm places. The best temperature for them is between 24°C and 35°C. They won't have babies if the temperature is below 20°C. They also need enough moisture to shed their skin properly.
However, dubia roaches can handle drier air than many other roach types. If they eat fruits and other moist foods, they store water in their bodies. This water can be used when they are stressed.
When kept as pets, it's more important to give them watery foods than to mist their living space. Their enclosures should be clean and dry. This helps stop bacteria or mold from growing. Stacking egg crates vertically helps with airflow and keeps things clean.
Can Dubia Roaches Fly?
Adult male dubia roaches have full wings. They also have strong muscles for flying. But they rarely fly. If they fall from a high place, they can open their wings to control their fall. However, they cannot fly upwards or stay in the air for long.
Adult female dubia roaches have only tiny front wings. They do not have the muscles needed for flight. So, females cannot fly at all.
Can Dubia Roaches Climb?
Neither adult nor young dubia roaches can climb smooth, straight surfaces. They don't have special sticky pads on their feet called arolium that other insects use for climbing.
What Dubia Roaches Eat
The dubia cockroach is a frugivore. This means they mostly eat fruits and grains. They prefer sweet vegetables and fruits. They usually avoid foods high in protein, like meat.
Good foods for dubia roaches include:
- Carrots
- Tropical fruits like mangos, papayas, apples, avocados, bananas, cherries, and pears
- Oranges and strawberries
- Fresh corn and tomatoes (some like them, some don't)
- Lettuce (but not iceberg or romaine)
- Many other leafy greens and herbs
How Dubia Roaches Reproduce
Blaptica dubia is an ovoviviparous species. This means the female carries her eggs inside her body until they hatch. A pregnancy usually lasts between 48 and 64 days. This happens when the temperature is around 26°C.
The female carries an egg capsule, called an ootheca, which holds about 20 to 35 eggs. She might drop it early if she is stressed. Adult dubia roaches can live for up to 2 years. Females usually live a little longer than males. Their growth and how often they reproduce depend on their environment. The best conditions are 25–30°C and over 60% humidity.
Using Dubia Roaches as Feeder Insects
Dubia roaches are very popular as food for pets like tarantulas, amphibians, and reptiles. They are easy to keep and breed because they cannot jump or climb smooth surfaces. They also move slowly and rarely fly. Unlike crickets, they are quiet. Since they need a warm, tropical environment, they are less likely to survive if they escape in colder places.
Some people can have allergic reactions to dubia roaches. However, they don't smell as much as many other types of cockroaches.
Studies show that dubia roaches are a good source of protein and low in fat. This is similar to crickets. Their nutritional value can change based on what they eat. So, feeding them a good diet is important. They have many vitamins and minerals, but they are usually low in calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Because of this, pet owners might need to add these nutrients to their pets' diets.
Rules About Dubia Roaches
Some places, like Canada and certain US states, do not allow people to bring in B. dubia. This is because some people worry they could become an invasive species. An invasive species is one that spreads and harms the local environment.
See also
In Spanish: Cucaracha dubia para niños
