Blaberus discoidalis

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Blaberus discoidalis: //ˈblæbərəs ˌdɪskoʊˈdaɪlɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Blaberus discoidalis 0006 L.D by Acrocynus. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Blaberus discoidalis ootheca by Kolonie BLABERUS. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Blaberus discoidalis 0008 L.D by Acrocynus. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Blaberus discoidalis female and ootheca by Kolonie BLABERUS. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Washington DC Zoo - Blaberus discoidalis 1 by Jarek Tuszyński. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Blaberus discoidalis mating by Kolonie BLABERUS. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Blaberus discoidalis, or the discoid cockroach, is a large cockroach native to Central America, notable for its size and adaptability as a pet food source and its use in insect eating competitions.

Physical Characteristics

Adults are around 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) in length, tan with a dark brown to black patch on the pronotum. Juveniles are brown with tan speckles. Adults have wings but are not active fliers.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from other species by its size and the dark patch on the pronotum.

Habitat

Forests and woodlands, commonly found in tropical environments.

Distribution

Found in Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Florida.

Diet

Omnivorous; primarily consumes organic matter in the wild, but also easy to raise in captivity for use as pet food.

Life Cycle

Matures to adulthood in 4–5 months; breeding age is reached at about 6 months in warm conditions.

Reproduction

Females carry eggs inside a brooding pouch until fertilized. A male fertilizes the eggs with a spermatophore.

Ecosystem Role

Serves as a food source for insectivorous animals and plays a role in the decomposition of organic matter.

Economic Impact

Used as pet food and in insect eating competitions. Also experimented with in the creation of miniature fuel cells.

Cultural Significance

Used in insect eating competitions; notable incident in 2012 involving a participant's death during such an event.

Collecting Methods

  • Trapping
  • Breeding in captivity

Preservation Methods

  • Freezing
  • Ethanol preservation

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with the death's head cockroach due to visual similarities.

Tags

  • Blaberidae
  • cockroach
  • insect
  • pet food
  • biomimicry