The numbers
Enclosure
Small-medium ventilated bin, 5-8cm substrate; tight-fitting lid - adults FLY and escape easily
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry food · 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-31C (78-88F)
Humidity
HIGH 70-90% (dies quickly if it dries out)
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Popular for its colour; also a feeder
Adult size
Body 12-24mm; pale lime-green, winged
Lifespan
~9-12 mo
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal; ADULTS FLY readily; nymphs burrow
Temperament
Skittish, fast; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~100-400 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-31C (78-88F)
Humidity
HIGH 70-90% (dies quickly if it dries out)
Min. enclosure
Small-medium ventilated bin, 5-8cm substrate; tight-fitting lid - adults FLY and escape easily
Substrate
Coco fibre + sphagnum for humidity (nymphs burrow); bark on top
Hides / decor / water
Bark, leaf litter; keep humid; water via moist substrate/veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry food
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week
Supplements
Protein for breeding; gut-load if feeder
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not ideal - fast flyers; handle over closed bin
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Sudden flight, burrowing
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); nymphs stay buried in substrate
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsRapid death if humidity drops; mould if stagnant; mites
Red flags / quarantine
SignsESCAPE-PRONE flyer - tight lid essential; never release (can establish outdoors); quarantine
Good to know
- One of the few pretty pastel-green roaches; the buried nymphs look nothing like the jewel-like adults
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 giganteusDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus