Blaberidae

Oxyhaloa deusta

· (Thunberg, 1784) · Blaberidae

Temperature: 24–31 °C
Adult size: approx. 14–20 mm
Humidity: moderate, approx. 60–70%, with good ventilation
Origin: southern and eastern Africa
Substrate: a small, well-ventilated box packed with egg crate; mostly dry substrate with one damp corner; tight lid and a petroleum-jelly barrier – they are excellent climbers
Diet: dry food, fruit, vegetables
Reproduction: ovoviviparous, frequent litters – roughly every 3 weeks
Development: approx. 3–5 months when kept warm

difficulty: easy climbs glass: yes flies: no

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mix PLN 15 ≈ €3.53 / 10 pcs

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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

Females are clearly larger and broader (approx. 18–20 mm), males slimmer (approx. 12–14 mm). When courting, the male raises his wings and exposes glands on his back.

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

Adults and older nymphs are dark plum-brown with a reddish-orange head. All stages climb smooth surfaces and release a defensive odour when disturbed.

Common problems

They die quickly if they dry out – keep a damp zone (about 1/3 of the box).
Too wet without ventilation is harmful too – keep good airflow.
At low humidity females drop oothecae that never hatch.
They escape up glass – use a petroleum-jelly strip or a tight lid.

Taxonomy

Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Oxyhaloinae
Trade names: red-head roach

From my breeding room

Photos and videos

Shots of Oxyhaloa deusta from my breeding room. Click a photo to enlarge it.

Photos and videos of this species will appear here.

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