An Encounter with the Dubia Cockroach in Umm Ramool, Dubai

The Dubia Cockroach, Blaptica dubia

Male Dubia cockroaches have fully developed wings 

Female Dubia cockroaches have short wing stubs

Adults are shiny black with the distinct orange markings

Females hiding inside a crevice 

A Dubia cockroach nymph

A nymph in a huddle with adult male Dubia cockroaches

More adult male and female Dubia cockroaches

This is NOT an albino cockroach but a newly molted male Dubia
 

It was during a site inspection at a warehouse facility in Umm Ramool, Dubai, that I got to encounter a large horde of cockroaches being reared inside a temperature controlled room. These cockroaches were reared not to be destined for use in pesticide trials or medical experiments but actually being fed and  bred to be food for other animals. Another awesome thing I discovered, is that these cockroaches originated from South America. I encountered the popular feeder insect species, the Dubia cockroach, Blaptica dubia.       

DUBIA COCKROACH, Blaptica dubia (BLATTODEA: BLABERIDAE)

The Dubia cockroach is also called the Orange-spotted cockroach, Guyna orange-spotted cockroach and Argentinian wood roach.

Adult Dubia cockroaches are dark brown to shiny black with light orange markings. They can reach 40-45mm long. 

Sexual dimorphism is exhibited by the adult males and females. Males have wings that reaches the full length of their body which extends beyond its abdomen. Females do not have fully developed wings instead they posses reduced wing stubs (called tegmina). 

Nymphs are smaller, grayish in color with the distinct light colored markings. 

DISTRIBUTION of DUBIA COCKROACH

The Dubia cockroach originated from South America namely from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

BIODYNAMICS NOTES

The female Dubia cockroaches are ovoviviparous. They lay an ootheca, pull it back into themselves to incubate it internally and later give birth to live nymphs. The nymphs that hatch inside the female can reach up to 20-40 nymphs. They undertake 7 instars. depending on food and temperature nymphal development can take 4-6 months. Adult lifespan is 1-2 years.   

The Dubia cockroach is a frugivorous insect, preferring to feed mainly on tropical fruits, and certain vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, lettuce  and grains.  

Being slow-moving and flightless insects, they are very popular worldwide, being artificially reared and sold as feeder insects. These cockroaches are a food source for pets and zoo animals. They are fed to tarantulas, amphibians and reptilian pets.   

I have always known that there are over 4000 species of cockroaches worldwide. I still need to see more of this great diversity. It was truly an awesome encounter with a cockroach species not marked as a domestic pest  but as an important component of  keeping zoo animals and pets healthy. 

Awesome creature! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com