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So far I've grown dreadfully disenchanted with the CRICKET. They are unfortunately, the par excellence of feeder insects because of their inexpensive upkeep and prolific breeding. They are also, unfortunately, highly over mass produced, and are often the only feeder insect available to most of the population.What led us in the direction of DUBIA ROACHES in the first place was that creeping feeling after being sold crickets that die in a few days, there had to be a better alternative.I am sure if you are still reading this, you feel the same way we do about your reptiles, and the mass-produced, semi-nutritional, crickets just won't do[ it' akin to feeding your children McDonald's everyday because it happens to be readily available, fairly inexpensive, and what's flashing in your face all day via advertising anyways,] I could utilize this space for ranting about how wretched the filthy bugs are, or how much they stink, how noisy they can be as adults, and how fragile they are as far as mortality goes. But I will not instead I will tell you the advantages of DUBIA ROACHES. Based on research, as well as a growing enthusiasm within the hobby for this particular specimen, We have decided to opt for Blaptica DUBIA as opposed to any other readily aviable species of Roach.The overall quality of the species in all areas of consideration for our feeders overrides any desire to go with any other potential specimen. Compared to other similarly kept species as Blaberus discoidales [Discoid Roaches] or Eublaberus prosticus [Orange-Headed Roaches,] B, Dubia has a softer exoskeleton, making it more desirably as a feeder. The trade-off, however, is that the DUBIA is not quite as 'meaty' [I prefer to use the term "big boned" especially within earshot of the roaches, of course..] as the after mentioned. This is a very minor and almost insignificant factor in light of the numerous traits which make the species desirable as a feeder. Another phenotypical trait conductive to this species is that they are literally horrible climers [this is, compared to other roaches, mind you.] They cannot climb up smooth plastic or glass, which of course, makes them that much more "acclimated" for feeders as this [under the correct conditions ] limits the potential for escape almost zero. There's typically also zero Oder associated with the roaches.A cricket on the other hand, pretty much just stinks.... to put it mildly. For the most part, the DUBIIA will live much longer than the cricket-also a huge incentive to go with roaches. In spite of being moderate in size, they've a high mass, or "meat" to shell ratio. The list of perks seems to go on and on with these guys. B. dubia undergoes simple metamorphosis, wherein the intermediate stages / instars or nymphs of the species are smaller representations of the adult. Blaptica dubia nymphs will often 'play dead' when disturbed. This along with the fact that they're much slower and less 'shy' than many of their counterparts, makes B. dubia that much easier to handle or capture for feeding. Blaptica Dubia may well be [again all things considered] one of the best possible feeder insects available bar none. It's moderate size, slower speed, and soft body compared to most other arthropods ,make it especially suitable as a feeder. Add in the lack of flight, the lacking of a substantial ability to climb smooth surfaces, and a docile nature, and the optimum choice for a feeder becomes blatantly obvious. |
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