A Dubia cockroach (Blaptica dubia) that extrudes and retracts the ootheca. But what is it and why does it do that? The egg packets of cockroaches and mantises are called ootheca. The Dubia cockroach is ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs remain in the body until the young are ready to hatch. The extruding of the ootheca occurs because it's the only way to move them from the ovary chamber to the brood chamber.

I keep a small group of cockroaches because they are good food for my animals. The terrarium is set up with an 11 to 15 centimeter high layer of coconut soil, which is piled up like a slope towards the back wall of the terrarium. In the lower area there are branches, leaves and pieces of bark, where the animals stay the most. The upper area stays free, only the feeding bowl is there. I only keep the soil slightly moist in places. These areas are visited by the animals from time to time and also cover their drinking needs. Springtails and microorganisms also live in the soil, which help to keep the terrarium clean. It smells very good like forest floor.

Many startle when they hear the word cockroach. Only about 30 species out of 4,600 are associated with human habitats. In a normal living situation, there is no need to worry about an infestation by these animals.

I mostly feed Dubia roaches to my leopard geckos. I breed them myself. Although it's a cockroach species, they are the least problematic feeding insects that I know. They don't make any noise or smell, can't climb smooth surfaces and really don't multiply in the home. They are always accepted by all my geckos and move moderately fast, which makes handling easy. In addition, they have a balanced nutrient ratio.

My friend is back and finally grown up! 😌
Of course you can drink my tasty sweat, you must be very thirsty! 😅🤗

Based on the nymphs that have occurred so far, you couldn't really say anything about the species. Netherless, my suspicion was already in the direction of Planuncus tingitanus s.l., because they are often found near houses. Ectobius vittiventris also accidentally gets into homes due to massive outbreaks caused by hot and dry summers. However, the wings of E. vittiventris are always longer than the abdomen. So I'm probably right with P. tingitanus .


By the way, it's not the worst idea to offer drinking opportunities in this heat. There are plenty of ways to make this possible. On the Internet you will find many crafting instructions for insect watering places. 🍹🐝

Someone came to visit me again! 🤗
A little bit bigger and the color turns amber. I think this is a Planuncus tingitanus s.l., because of its habitat. They're invasive and prefer shrubs and trees near human settlements. "S.l." stands for "sensu lato" meaning "in the sense of". It's a species complex consisting of different species or possibly just one. So it's kind of working title, until molecular investigations provide new insights. But I can't even be sure if this little visitor belongs to the Planuncus species. Forest cockroaches often differ only minimally, such as on the genitals. However, it's my pleasure to serve as an insect motel. Feel like home, eat some dirt, stretch your limbs and just feel good! Sloth life!✌

I recently had a surprise visitor! 🤗
Apparently it gets around that then you will be known on Instagram. 🤔 "Hey, I just pretend that I accidentally got into this apartment and do something interesting to film me!" 😃

Clever little cockroach! 👍 Unfortunately you forgot to tell me your name! 😜

Last night, I discovered this early instar nymph of the cockroach Planuncus tingitanus s.l..🔦 It's a species complex which still needs much research. 🔬
Originally from the Mediterranean, they have spread rapidly in Europe in recent decades. In Germany, they were first found in Mainz in 2007. That's about 50 kilometers away from Oberursel. They live on shrubs near human settlements🌳🏘🏡 but only accidentally get into houses and only live outside.