Dianna
Third Instar
We don't have casual conversations here on the forum very much, so let's change that!
Please tell us which genera or specific species of cockroach you like the most and why. Info-dumping is highly encouraged - I'd love to see this thread generate a healthy amount of discussion. The whole point is to just talk to one another.
I'll start:
My favorite species of roach right now is Schizopilia fissicollis, the flat-bark roach.
Via Wikipedia
Via iNaturalist
This is a tropical species from South America. As a matter of fact, a lot of my roach favorites come from South and Central America. As the name implies, they're very, very flat-bodied and they are this way from nymph to adult. As you can see in the first image, they have a unique pronotum shape. It really makes them stand out from every other genera. They have a lovely grape coloration and their wings look like rose petals to me. Additionally, they're a diurnal and arboreal species. All of these characteristics combined puts them at the top of my list. They're so beautiful, so unique in shape, and so gentle. They're the ultimate cockroach to me.
The only downside for me is their size. I really really wish they were larger- roughly the size of Blaberus species. They would be perfect like that.
I have a starter colony from TJ (@Hisserdude) that I hope to work intensely with. They'll be my project species - I'll work to see if any strains can be isolated. I have a 50 gallon arboreal-style enclosure for them that I'm going to decorate with a tropical aesthetic and will be using it as my main display tank once I establish a proper colony.
The Zetoborinae family is slowly starting to become available in the U.S hobby and I'm extremely excited for it. Thank you to TJ as always for his never-ending efforts!
Honorable mentions are the Blaberus species, as I love how large they are and how they look when they hang from vertical surfaces. I first saw B. giganteus when I visited Nashville's zoo and they were housed in an arboreal-style tank with a cave aesthetic. I was so wowed by how they looked. Caves + roaches just do it for me.
Contrarily, I am not a fan of the pest-looking species, including those that run fast. I like a gentle-giant type species. That's my wave.
How about you?
Please tell us which genera or specific species of cockroach you like the most and why. Info-dumping is highly encouraged - I'd love to see this thread generate a healthy amount of discussion. The whole point is to just talk to one another.
I'll start:
My favorite species of roach right now is Schizopilia fissicollis, the flat-bark roach.
Via Wikipedia
Via iNaturalist
This is a tropical species from South America. As a matter of fact, a lot of my roach favorites come from South and Central America. As the name implies, they're very, very flat-bodied and they are this way from nymph to adult. As you can see in the first image, they have a unique pronotum shape. It really makes them stand out from every other genera. They have a lovely grape coloration and their wings look like rose petals to me. Additionally, they're a diurnal and arboreal species. All of these characteristics combined puts them at the top of my list. They're so beautiful, so unique in shape, and so gentle. They're the ultimate cockroach to me.
The only downside for me is their size. I really really wish they were larger- roughly the size of Blaberus species. They would be perfect like that.
I have a starter colony from TJ (@Hisserdude) that I hope to work intensely with. They'll be my project species - I'll work to see if any strains can be isolated. I have a 50 gallon arboreal-style enclosure for them that I'm going to decorate with a tropical aesthetic and will be using it as my main display tank once I establish a proper colony.
The Zetoborinae family is slowly starting to become available in the U.S hobby and I'm extremely excited for it. Thank you to TJ as always for his never-ending efforts!
Honorable mentions are the Blaberus species, as I love how large they are and how they look when they hang from vertical surfaces. I first saw B. giganteus when I visited Nashville's zoo and they were housed in an arboreal-style tank with a cave aesthetic. I was so wowed by how they looked. Caves + roaches just do it for me.
Contrarily, I am not a fan of the pest-looking species, including those that run fast. I like a gentle-giant type species. That's my wave.
How about you?
Especially if they were a more diurnal species.