The numbers
Enclosure
20-30L humid, ventilated bin; nymphs climb - barrier + tight lid
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed; some rotten wood · 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
60-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Sought-after showpiece; moderately available
Adult size
Body 45-60mm; males with two yellow 'glowspots' on pronotum
Lifespan
1-2 yrs
Growth rate
Slow-moderate
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; bark dweller/burrower
Temperament
Docile; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~200-700 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
60-80%
Min. enclosure
20-30L humid, ventilated bin; nymphs climb - barrier + tight lid
Substrate
Coco/peat + rotten wood/leaf litter 5-8cm; cork bark hides
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, rotten wood, leaf litter; water crystals or moist veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed; some rotten wood
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week
Supplements
Protein for breeding
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile; handleable
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Burrowing, slow retreat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); slower-breeding than feeders
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMould, mites, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsNymphs climb - barrier + lid; quarantine for mites; never release
Good to know
- The pronotum spots merely reflect light (they do not truly bioluminesce) but glow eerily under a torch
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