Blaptica dubia
Commonly known as Dubia roaches. They are a species of medium to large-sized cockroaches native to Central and South America. Due to their nutritional value and ease of care, these roaches have become popular in the pet trade as feeders for reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids. In captivity, they thrive in warm and humid conditions. They are often kept in colonies by reptile and amphibian enthusiasts and breeders to ensure a constant food supply for their pets.
What's the ideal diet for Dubia Roaches?
We highly recommend feeding this species a balanced diet of vegetables & proteins. Additionally, we suggest introducing cuttlebone or crushed egg shells into the enclosure for a calcium boost. For vegetables, we recommend bok choy, mustard greens, and collard greens, as well as organic butternut squash or whatever squash is easily available. Cucumbers can be given for water purposes only, but note they mold easily, and springtails must be added to the enclosure to keep the mold spores to a minimum. For proteins, we recommend dubia chow or just regular dog food, either crushed up into a paste or wet down and tossed in.
How should I keep Dubia Roaches?
We recommend keeping these roaches in our large Fossorial Fissure enclosure for habitats, giving them plenty of room to grow. With our magnetically fitted and sealed lid, you don’t need to worry about any offspring they have escaping. We recommend our Royal Soil blended substrate for soil. It will retain the proper moisture gradient needed and not dry out as easily as plain dirt might.
Why would I use Dubia Roaches as feeders?
Dubia roaches provide a balanced nutritional source and are extremely high in proteins and fats. This is extremely beneficial for reptiles and arachnids of all kinds. The chart below outlines the findings of the Barrow-Agree report, which can be found here.
| Size | Moisture (%) | Protein (%) | Fat (%) | Ash (%) | Fiber (%) | Calcium (mg/kg) | Phosphorus (mg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | 71.5 | 21.4 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 700 | 2600 |
| Medium | 70.8 | 19.6 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 700 | 2600 |
| Extra Large | 65.6 | 23.4 | 7.2 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 800 | 2600 |
Chart courtesy of dubia.com
