Arenivaga erratica (Erratic Sand Roach)

Arenivaga erratica

(Erratic Sand Roach)

Adult Size - Male (19 mm), Female (20 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - Adult males can fly

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Enclosure

A.erratica aren't particularly large or crowding sensitive, so their enclosure doesn't need to be spacious.

Ventilation level - High

Hides - Not necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

A.erratica aren't picky about their substrate as long as it holds moisture well, isn't abrasive, and is deep enough to burrow in.

Type - Not picky

Moisture level - 3/4 dry & 1/4 moist

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Food

A.erratica don't accept many of the foods that average roaches do. They fair best when fed proteinaceous pet foods and dead leaves.

Type - Proteinaceous pet foods, dead leaves

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Temperature

A.erratica can be kept into the high 60s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 68 F to 85 F

Eleodes obscura (Obscure Darkling Beetle)

Eleodes obscura

(Obscure Darkling Beetle)

Eleodes obscura sulcipennis

This hulking darkling beetle may be the heaviest tenebrionid in the United States. There are multiple subspecies with varying elytral textures. Although they are usually plain black, some individuals sport faint red coloration. Communal pupation is not recommended for Eleodes obscura since older larvae develop cannibalistic tendencies. Darkling Beetles are great for handling in general, but this species may be the absolute best! Specimens go still when picked up and proceed to leisurely walk around once they feel comfortable. 🙂

Adult Size - Male (29 mm), Female (32 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

E.obscura are massive, so their enclosure should have some space.

Ventilation level - 

Isolated pupation (main enclosure): High

Isolated pupation (pupation cups): Moderate

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

E.obscura seem to appreciate sandy substrates for oviposition. Larvae prefer low moisture during pupation and likely require a clay mix to keep their pupal chambers from collapsing.

Type -

Isolated pupation (main enclosure): 50% sand & 50% coconut fiber mix

Isolated pupation (pupation cups): Clay mix

Moisture level - 

Isolated pupation (main enclosure): 2/3 dry, 1/3 moist

Isolated pupation (pupation cups): Light

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Food

E.obscura aren't picky about their food and can be fed an average darkling beetle diet.

Type - Proteinaceous pet foods, fruits, vegetables

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Temperature

E.obscura can be kept into the low 70s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures. Larvae from northern localities require a winter diapause in the mid 60s for successful pupation.

Range - 65 F to 80 F

Helleria brevicornis (Giant Pillbug)

Helleria brevicornis

(Giant Pillbug)

*Under Construction*

Helleria brevicornis (the Giant Pillbug) 

Adult Size - Male (27 mm), Female (27 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

H.brevicornis are huge, so their enclosure should have some space.

Ventilation level - Moderate

Hides - Not necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

H.brevicornis require a deep substrate of decaying organic matter.

Type - Decaying organic matter

Moisture level - Moderate

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Food

H.brevicornis mainly feed on decaying organic matter, but likely munch on other foods from time to time as well.

Type - Decaying organic matter, proteinaceous pet foods, vegetables

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Temperature

H.brevicornis should be provided a winter diapause in the low-mid 60s, for consistent reproduction. The rest of the year, they can be kept at much more flexible temperatures.

Range - 60 F to 78 F

Porcellio sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" (Almerían Silver-Striped Isopod)

Porcellio sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe"

(Almerían Silver-Striped Isopod)

Spain is home to many of the world's most spectacular isopods and Porcellio sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" is no exception! Hailing from the Almería Mountains, this titanic isopod was initially thought to be a regional color form of Porcellio hoffmannseggii. They are now treated as an entirely separate entity, however, and after witnessing their behavior in person, I would have to agree. The Almerian Silver-Striped Isopod is much more defensive and high-strung than the aforementioned species. When disturbed, they will readily rear their large uropods high into the air, seemingly mimicking a stinger!

Adult Size - Male (40 mm), Female (40 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

P.sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" are massive and crowding sensitive, so their enclosure should have some space.

Ventilation level - High

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

P.sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" aren't picky about their substrate as long as it holds moisture well, isn't abrasive, and is deep enough to burrow in.

Type - Not picky

Moisture level - 2/3 dry, 1/3 moist

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Food

P.sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" aren't picky about their food and can be fed an average isopod diet.

Type - Proteinaceous pet foods, dead hardwood leaves, vegetables

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Temperature

P.sp. "Almerían Silver Stripe" can be kept into the low 70s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 72 F to 85 F

Perisphaerus punctatus (Punctate Roly-Poly Roach)

Perisphaerus punctatus

(Punctate Roly-Poly Roach)

The Punctate Roly-Poly Roach presents a fascinating case of convergent evolution. Although they are not related, nymphs and adult females of this species can roll into balls just like the famous roly-poly isopods! Adult males possess a pair of wings along with a different body shape, which prevent them from volvating. Perisphaerus punctatus lives an arboreal lifestyle in nature. Consequently, they favor vertically-oriented hides and high ventilation in captivity.

Adult Size - Male (17 mm), Female (18 mm)

Climbing Ability - Nymphs & adults can climb

Flying Ability - Adult males can fly

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Enclosure

P.punctatus aren't particularly large or crowding sensitive, so their enclosure doesn't need to be spacious.

Ventilation level - High

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Necessary

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Substrate

P.punctatus aren't picky about their substrate as long as it holds moisture well.

Type - Not picky

Moisture level - Moderate

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Food

P.punctatus aren't picky about their food and can be fed an average roach diet.

Type - Fruits, proteinaceous pet foods, vegetables

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Temperature

P.punctatus can be kept into the mid 70s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 75 F to 85 F

Porcellio haasi (Haas's Isopod)

Porcellio haasi

(Haas's Isopod)

"Bright" locale

*Under Construction*

Porcellio haasi (Haas's Isopod) 

Adult Size - Male (25 mm), Female (25 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

P.haasi are rather large and crowding sensitive, so their enclosure should have some space.

Ventilation level - High

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

P.haasi aren't picky about their substrate as long as it holds moisture well.

Type - Not picky

Moisture level - 2/3 dry, 1/3 moist

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Food

P.haasi aren't picky about their food and can be fed an average isopod diet.

Type - Dead hardwood leaves, proteinaceous pet foods, vegetables

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Temperature

P.haasi can be kept into the low 70s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 70 F to 90 F

Therea bernhardti (Domino Roach)

Therea bernhardti

(Domino Roach)

The Domino Roach has been a hobby staple for decades. The simplistic, yet brilliant patterning of mature specimens is truly one of a kind. Even for the katsaridaphobe, one look at these corydiids causes undeniable glee. Captive stock of this roach was long thought to be Therea petiveriana, however new evidence suggests that its true identity is actually Therea bernhardti.

Adult Size - Male (25 mm), Female (35 mm)

Climbing Ability - Adults can climb

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

T.bernhardti aren't particularly large or crowding sensitive, so their enclosure doesn't need to be spacious.

Ventilation level - Moderate

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Necessary

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Substrate

T.bernhardti aren't picky about their substrate as long as it holds moisture well, isn't abrasive, and is deep enough to burrow in.

Type - Not picky

Moisture level - 1/2 moist & 1/2 dry

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Food

T.bernhardti aren't picky about their food and can be fed an average roach diet.

Type - Proteinaceous pet foods, fruits, vegetables

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Temperature

T.bernhardti can be kept into the low 70s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 70 F to 85 F