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Dubia Roach (Blaptica dubia)

Blaptica dubia

The Blaptica dubia (Dubia Roach). It is the 'Undisputed Queen of Feeder Insects' in modern terrariums. This South American blattoid (1.6-2 inches long) has almost universally replaced crickets thanks to its incalculable merits: it does not bite, does not stink, makes no noise (does not stridulate), is very slow, does not climb on smooth glass or plastics and is incredibly nutritious and fleshy. Furthermore, being native to tropical climates, if it escapes in a European or North American house it is unable to infest and reproduce. The dimorphism is extreme: adult females are massive, black/orange and totally devoid of functional wings (they look like giant isopods), while males have long golden wings (but fly rarely and clumsily). They live in massed colonies (quiet swarms) in egg cartons and feed on any vegetable waste, fruit and powdered feed. They are viviparous and incredibly prolific in the heat.

Taxonomy
Class:Insecta
Order:Blattodea
Family:Blaberidae
Genus:Blaptica
Species:Blaptica dubia

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

40 - 60 %

Day temperature

27 - 35 °C

Night temperature

20 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: ITIS lists South America as the geographic division for Blaptica dubia. This taxonomic geographic entry does not characterize habitat conditions.
Taxonomy and Genetics: ITIS lists Blaptica dubia (Serville, 1838) with current standing valid in Blaberidae. This entry does not provide genetic results.
Behaviour and Habits: The cited taxonomic record does not provide behavioural observations for this species.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited taxonomic record does not provide a morphological description or sexual-dimorphism measurements; none are inferred here.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: The cited work is a constant-temperature laboratory study of nymphs and does not provide enclosure dimensions, substrate, ventilation, or a general captive setup.
Lighting and Heating: In constant-temperature laboratory experiments, nymphs were studied at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C. In those experiments, nymphs developed to adulthood at 20, 25, and 30 °C; all died before fifth instar at 35 °C and before second instar at 40 °C. These are experimental results, not a universal captive temperature schedule.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited abstract does not quantify humidity, hydration, or a captive moisture target.
Feeding and Supplementation: The cited abstract does not document diet, feeding frequency, or supplementation.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited abstract does not evaluate cohabitation or provide a compatibility recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The reported mortality concerns nymphs in the stated temperature experiments; the source does not provide disease, treatment, or veterinary-management guidance.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Sud America (Foreste umide e praterie savaniche in Argentina, Brasile, Uruguay).

Origin

Selective breeding and cultivarsExtra-Amazon South AmericaNorth AmericaEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
4.5 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 4.5 cm. The Wu, Hu & Appel — Blaptica dubia source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4.5 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Blaptica dubia. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Orange Head Roach (Eublaberus posticus)

Orange Head Roach (Eublaberus posticus)

Eublaberus posticus

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Glowspot Roach (Lucihormetica verrucosa)

Glowspot Roach (Lucihormetica verrucosa)

Lucihormetica verrucosa

Discoid Cockroach

Discoid Cockroach

Blaberus discoidalis

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Dubia Roach (Blaptica dubia) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium