The numbers
Enclosure
Deep-substrate ventilated bin; TIGHT lid - adults fly and escape
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed; leaf litter · 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70% with moist layer
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Popular for pearly adults; moderately common
Adult size
Body 25-35mm; pale porcelain-grey, winged flyers
Lifespan
~1-1.5 yrs
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal; ADULTS FLY; nymphs burrow deeply
Temperament
Skittish, fast; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~100-400 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70% with moist layer
Min. enclosure
Deep-substrate ventilated bin; TIGHT lid - adults fly and escape
Substrate
Deep coco/peat + rotten leaf litter (nymphs burrow deep, rarely seen)
Hides / decor / water
Leaf litter, bark; water crystals or moist veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed; leaf litter
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week
Supplements
Protein for breeding
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not ideal - flighty; handle over closed bin
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Sudden flight, deep burrowing
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); nymphs live buried in substrate
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMould if stagnant; mites; dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsESCAPE-PRONE flyer - tight lid; quarantine; never release non-natives
Good to know
- Adults look dusted in pearl or chrome, while the fossorial nymphs are almost never seen above ground
Others in this group
Madagascar hissing cockroachGromphadorhina portentosaDubia roach (feeder staple)Blaptica dubiaRed runner / Turkestan roach (feeder)Shelfordella lateralis (Blatta lateralis)Death's head cockroachBlaberus craniiferGiant cave cockroachBlaberus giganteusGreen banana roachPanchlora niveaDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanica