Matt K Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten.. Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Nice picture! Is this a male from the batch of little ones of which you posted a picture earlier on the forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Reminds me of a certain firefly species, also kinda looks like a leatherwing beetle or soldier beetle. Maybe it's a mimic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted March 26, 2008 Author Share Posted March 26, 2008 But its not a mimic, because the females and nymphs look like: ** FEMALE on the left, nymph male on the right, and three female nymphs in the center of the image. ** ...and the males only have wings. The wings are also extra long- much longer than the body, which is otherwise the same size as the female. I think all roach hobbiests should have a colony of these in thier collection. They are sexually diverse, colorful, active, non-burrowing, a bit easy to keep, and do everything in groups. Fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten.. Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 But its not a mimic, because the females and nymphs look like: ** FEMALE on the left, nymph male on the right, and three female nymphs in the center of the image. ** ...and the males only have wings. The wings are also extra long- much longer than the body, which is otherwise the same size as the female. I think all roach hobbiests should have a colony of these in thier collection. They are sexually diverse, colorful, active, non-burrowing, a bit easy to keep, and do everything in groups. Fun! Is there a way to distinguish an adult female from a subadult one, other than size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpet Roaches Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Did you try comparing the valves that form the ootheca? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten.. Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 No, I only have got my group for a couple of weeks. I was told all the animals were subadult so I didn't have much comparing to do. Now I have my first male adult. I did't know where to look for specifically to find adult females. Except for the hissers all my roaches are winged, so clearly noticeble when they've reached adulthood. I'll try to locate the difference. Now it's pretty clearly, looking at the picture above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 YES. The color of the head for one. Adult females always have the dark pattern that orange headed nympha lack. Also, look to where the wings would be- also short as nymph and adult, where males get pointed and slightly elongate as nymph. In my pic above you can see the head color- adult female dark between eyes, nymph orange between eyes male or female. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten.. Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Sorry for my late reaction. I've seen both the characteristics (valves and head color) and wanted to take a pic. Unfortunately I didn't succeed in catching a nymph since they are very fast. I didn't want to disturb the colony too much. These two were easily collected by picking up a branch on which they clinged. Adult female Adult female close up Adult male Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crittergu Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Don't these have really toxic defensive secretions? They look like they would...anyway. That would explain the mimicry of something else that is also toxic(firefly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Don't these have really toxic defensive secretions? They look like they would...anyway. That would explain the mimicry of something else that is also toxic(firefly) If they are toxic then I am suprised I am not sick or dead by now! They have a secretion that has stained my fingers for 3 days or so and does not wash off easily at all. Other than skin stains, I have had no other side effects. If they are toxic it could be toxic by ingesting the roach, though, and I would not eat one to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugmanPrice Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 I remember Orin telling someone, I don't remember how long ago, that they make terrible feeders because of the quinones they contain. I'm guessing it won't kill ya to crunch on one but it wouldn't be very tasty, like eating a bombardier beetle without the explosion. Don't these have really toxic defensive secretions? They look like they would...anyway. That would explain the mimicry of something else that is also toxic(firefly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crittergu Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 Quinones sound right. Anyone with experience know if they seem more potent than a superworm beetle? Tarantulas will eat those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten.. Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I've got little ones. Not too much for now, but I don't think this will take too long. The second photo shows a male and in the background a nymph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 Great photos, Maarten ..! These roaches do not appear to be toxic to humans, but I have tried to feed them to things and they go uneaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugmanPrice Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Did you eat one? Great photos, Maarten ..! These roaches do not appear to be toxic to humans, but I have tried to feed them to things and they go uneaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Did you eat one? HA !! No, let me rephrase: They do not appear to be toxic to humans if they or thier secretions come in contact with the skin or eyes of the person handling them. Though thier secretion will stain the skin for up to 3 days and does leave a light stain on the eye/contact lens.... how long I dont know. Lens was tossed and eye was flushed, being fine within the hour. Smartalecs are everywhere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefgot Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Femelle Mâle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Reminds me of B. dubia, at least the males do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blattamann Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi, The D. paulinoi, certainly in the UK stock originated in Windhoek, Namibia, where they are synathropic especially in the rains and, and are often a nusiance in houses. They are aposomatic in colouration, nymphs are gregarious to emphasize their colour and can be found in large agregations. They produce a benzoquinone defence secretion, which although not fatal can cause minor skin burns, ulceration of the mouth and blurred visiion. It is lilley to have evolved against mammal anti-predation. The simplest way of determining if a female is adult or not is to check whether she has styles on the subgenital plate, if present immature if not then adult, since only adult makes possess styles. cheers Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James M. Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Very attractive species. I know this is an old post but just had to comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Those are beautiful!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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