Death's Head Cockroach
Blaberus craniifer
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Blattodea
- Superfamily: Blaberoidea
- Family: Blaberidae
- Genus: Blaberus
- Species: craniifer
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Blaberus craniifer: /ˈblæbərəs ˈkreɪniˌaɪfər/
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Summary
Blaberus craniifer, or the Death's Head Cockroach, is the largest cockroach in North America, recognized by its prominent skull-like marking and large size. It is a gregarious species that engages in complex mating behaviors and possesses unique physiological traits such as the ability to regenerate certain tissues.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are very large, over 7 cm in length, with tegmina that are black, occasionally featuring brown markings near the center. The pronotum has a distinctive 'death's head' skull-like face marking. Nymphs are pale brown with multiple yellowish spots on the abdomen and thorax.
Identification Tips
Distinguished by the jet black cloak-like marking on wings and amber/black skull-shaped marking on the pronotum. Similar to Blaberus discoidalis, but with distinct markings.
Habitat
Native to Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America, found on forest floors hiding in leaf matter and rotting wood. Also introduced to southern Florida, USA.
Distribution
Mexico, West Indies, Central America, southern Florida (USA).
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on any organic food source available in their habitats, including leaf matter. In captivity, recommended diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, wet dog food, and moist cereal.
Life Cycle
Oviparous with a gestation period of 55 to 65 days; young free themselves from the embryonic covering after the ootheca is ejected.
Reproduction
B. craniifer are ovoviviparous, mating involves pheromonal communication. Female emits a sex pheromone that attracts the male. After mating, the male produces a spermatophore, which is later rejected by the female.
Predators
Potential prey for various invertebrates such as spiders, mantids, centipedes, and parasitoid wasps, as well as vertebrate insectivorous animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Ecosystem Role
Consumers of organic matter; contribute to nutrient cycling in their habitats.
Cultural Significance
Insect of interest for entomologists and hobbyists, often kept as a pet due to their unique appearance and behaviors.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often confused with other species due to similar appearance; notable for unique 'death's head' marking which is not associated with danger or disease.
Tags
- cockroach
- Blaberus
- Insecta
- Blattodea
- entomology
- pet
- hobby