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Blaptica dubia reproduction quest.

Mothi Jul 20, 2003 02:31 PM

I have 4male 7 femles and 3 nymph Blaptica dubia for almost a month now and no babies yet. I finally measured some today and they are 4-4.5cm (which is 40-45mm). These are adult size right? How long before I should expect some babies? What can I do to get them breeding faster?

I feed them Iams dry Kitty food, quality adult dog food, and carrots with occasional apples. Some of my males seem to have gotten chewed up in the wings. What should I do to prevent this? More room? I have them in a 5-gallon critter keeper with chunks of egg flats inside for hiding on half the cage and a food dish on the other side. I use aspen bedding and drip water with my fingers once a day for humidity. I have a heat pad on one side of the cage which I keep on most of the day/night unless the day might be over 85F in the room I keep them in. Any suggestions?

I also noticed one female that is 40cm long has some yellowish white gunk sticking out her rear. Not big but rice size and it appears to be drying. Is this her egg sack that she couldn't retract? Does this mean my humidity is too low?

If I move them into a cage that is nearly 20-gallon in size, would they breed less because there is alot more space between them for just a few roaches?
My Roaches

Replies (4)

Sonya Jul 20, 2003 05:36 PM

>>I have 4male 7 femles and 3 nymph Blaptica dubia for almost a month now and no babies yet. I finally measured some today and they are 4-4.5cm (which is 40-45mm). These are adult size right? How long before I should expect some babies? What can I do to get them breeding faster?
>>
>>I feed them Iams dry Kitty food, quality adult dog food, and carrots with occasional apples. Some of my males seem to have gotten chewed up in the wings. What should I do to prevent this? More room? I have them in a 5-gallon critter keeper with chunks of egg flats inside for hiding on half the cage and a food dish on the other side. I use aspen bedding and drip water with my fingers once a day for humidity. I have a heat pad on one side of the cage which I keep on most of the day/night unless the day might be over 85F in the room I keep them in. Any suggestions?
>>
>>I also noticed one female that is 40cm long has some yellowish white gunk sticking out her rear. Not big but rice size and it appears to be drying. Is this her egg sack that she couldn't retract? Does this mean my humidity is too low?
>>
>>If I move them into a cage that is nearly 20-gallon in size, would they breed less because there is alot more space between them for just a few roaches?
>>My Roaches

My guesses are...with so few to start it is gonna take a while to kick in to breeding. Plus, not being familiar with that particular roach....I would say they need it warmer. Sticking out her egg case can mean stress due to being bugged or too cold. I have a 80* room and the roaches have as much heat as I can give them...they are in the warmest area and have heat pads. I would also offer maybe some baby cereal or chick mash other finer grind of food additional to the kibbles. Mine eat all sorts of stuff and eat one thing then another and move around their tastes.
-----
Sonya

James Tu Jul 21, 2003 03:58 PM

Mine do really well with oranges. Aspen tends to be very dry. Use could try peat moss. Babies are very small and may hide well in the shavings. You may not see them for awhile. I have mine almost at 100F on the hot side with three stacked egg crates. I mist the moss side of the cage every night. I will try and post some pictures soon of my set-up.
James

Mothi Jul 21, 2003 11:37 PM

Exactly how big is a newly born blaptica dubia? I want to know what to be expecting size wise.

James Tu Jul 22, 2003 08:20 AM

1/8"-2/8", not very big

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