Aeluropoda insignis

· Butler, 1882 · Blaberidae

Temperature: 22–29 °C
Adult size: approx. 40–65 mm
Humidity: moderate, approx. 60–70%; a moist and a dry zone
Origin: Madagascar
Substrate: a thin layer of substrate, bark slabs and egg crate, good ventilation; tight lid or a petroleum-jelly strip – they climb glass
Diet: fruit, vegetables, dry food
Reproduction: ovoviviparous, approx. 10–20 nymphs per litter; breeds slowly
Development: approx. 6–7 months

difficulty: moderate climbs glass: yes flies: no

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More about the species

Sexes, stages and pitfalls

How to sex them

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♂ male

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♀ female

Adults

Both sexes are wingless. Males are larger (approx. 7 cm vs approx. 5 cm), very flat, with a deeply notched front edge of the pronotum – large males carry flat “horns” at the tips of the notch. Females have a smooth pronotum.

Nymphs

Nymphs: in the last 2–3 instars, check the underside of the abdomen – females have one large terminal plate, males a narrower plate with 1–2 small extra segments behind it (often with tiny styli). Not practical in young nymphs.

Life stages

Nymphs are flat and wingless, without pronotal ornaments. Males vary a lot in size.

Common problems

Rare in culture – small gene pool and an expensive founder group.
Breeds poorly when cool and dry; well when warm and humid.
Grain mites mean it is too wet.

Taxonomy

Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Oxyhaloinae
Tribe: Gromphadorhinini
Trade names: flat-horned hisser

From my breeding room

Photos and videos

Shots of Aeluropoda insignis from my breeding room. Click a photo to enlarge it.

Photos and videos of this species will appear here.

Full gallery → Compare with another species → Next care sheet Archimandrita marmorata ex. tesselata