Mexican cockroach - flying giant from the tropics

Scientists have discovered on Earth more 4600 species of cockroaches70 of them live in Mexico and South America. These insects prefer to settle in humid tropical forests, where there is a lot of organic food. Forest litter, tree crowns, caves and crevices - these places choose secretive creatures as their home. Mexican cockroach is a large species with wings. Adults are able to plan when falling from tall trees.

Appearance and habitat

Cockroaches are one of the oldest inhabitants of the planet. The Blattoptera family was helped to survive by exceptional abilities: the ability to live long without water, omnivorousness, unpretentiousness and maneuverability. Over 300 million years of existence, they have changed little in appearance. Mexican cockroaches have a flattened oval body, whose length is 6.5-8.5 cm. Females are light straw in color, some individuals reach 9-10 cm. The males are creamy, they have a more slender body, the maximum length is 7.5 cm. Abdomen consists of 7-9 sclerotized segments.

Cockroaches have no lungs, they are replaced by spiracles - these organs are located on the sides of the body. Their circulatory system contains hemolymph. Elytra dense, leathery, transverse dark stripe passing in the middle. It is brown or black. Long wings extend beyond the genital plate.
When folded, they hide under the elytra. On the pronotum there is a black spot of trapezoidal shape. The shield itself is wide and flat, transparent at the edges. The antennae are long, gray. They serve as antennas that pick up the signal from other cockroaches. The insect has three pairs of legs, consisting of 5 segments. Shins and thighs covered with spikes.

Information. In Mexico, cockroaches are called cucaraha "cucaracha".

The inhabitant of the moist forests of Central and South America is called Blaberus giganteus (Blaberus giganteus) or a giant forest or cave cockroach. He quickly runs on the ground, easily changing direction. Jumping from trees or stones, insects fly considerable distances. They live in groups that can be found in damp caves, rock cracks, forest litter. Most of the day is spent at rest. Activity begins at dusk. Insects go to look for food and water. The diet of cockroaches consists of plant debris, fruits, dead animals, bat droppings.

Information. Adult giant forest cockroaches can quickly climb a smooth surface at an angle of 45₀. Old individuals hardly overcome such slopes.

Adult Mexican cockroaches and nymphs are significantly different in appearance. The larvae are wide, brown in color, have no wings. On the abdomen there is a pattern of yellow spots. In the middle there are four vertical rows of triangular spots, along the edges they are rounded and subtle. At first glance, the blueberry giganthus and its nymphs are completely unlike relatives.

Sexual differences of insects are observed in size - the male is smaller than the female and in the structure of the appendages.The males in the back of the abdomen have an organ similar to needles, in females it is absent. It is easiest to distinguish individuals by characteristic behavior. Males actively look after partners.

Insect life cycle

In their development, the blueberries go through three stages: an egg, a larva (nymph) and an adult. In the process of development, the nymph molt 5-7 times. She dumps the old chitinous shell, which has become her small, and remains without protection. At this moment, she has a white soft body. After a few hours, the nymph will darken and acquire a chitinous cover. Cockroaches of different ages differ in behavior and preferences for the choice of habitat. Larvae of the first age burrow into the litter. In case of danger, they curl up and freeze, pretending to be dead.

Older nymphs get to the surface and spend time under foliage, pieces of bark, in rotten stumps. Adults most of the time crawl along branches, trunk, sit in the hollow of a tree. Life expectancy is 1.5-2 years, in captivity they survive up to 3-5 years.

Breeding

In insects, characteristic sexual behavior is pronounced. To attract a partner, they use chemical signals. Females secrete pheromones that act over a long distance. The male sex spreads its aphrodisiac in response. During courtship of the females, the males open their wings and wave them, attracting a partner. From time to time they make a rattling sound, shaking their whole body. It occurs when the elytra is rubbed against the end of the pronotum. When the male is ready for mating, he completely raises his wings, inviting the female to climb onto his back. Opponents distract her, trying to lure her. The mating rituals of giant Mexican cockroaches is a fascinating sight.

Information. Larvae are born with a size of 0.5-0.6 mm, in order to survive, they burrow into the forest litter. They live at a depth of 5-6 cm, feed on rotting plants.

Pregnancy of the female lasts from 45 to 90 days. Eggs ripen in the ooteca. This is a special capsule in the abdomen of the cockroach, where the offspring is located until birth. Such an evolutionary change in the breeding process has helped insects survive. Before the birth of the offspring, the mother pushes the edema. In Blaberus giganteus, 20-30 larvae appear. The egg shell becomes their first food. Then the young nymphs burrow into the soil. They will become sexually mature in 5-7 months. Deterioration of living conditions (low temperature, drought) lead to a delay in ripening and an increase in the number of molts.

Mexican Cockroach Tips

Representatives of exotic fauna have become popular pets. For them to feel good and give offspring, proper care is necessary. 3 females and 1 male will be able to start the colony.

Attention. Pheromones and other secretions of a cockroach can cause an allergic reaction in a person. Tropical species can be carriers of infectious diseases. After contact with insects, wash your hands with soap.

Cockroach Housing

The first thing you have to face is the selection and equipment of the insectarium. For large cockroaches, growing up to 7-8 cm, a spacious dwelling is required. Aquariums or plastic boxes of at least 50x40x50 size are suitable as a cage. The size of the insectarium is calculated by the formula - 1 liter per 1 cockroach. If there are a lot of boxes and vertical objects in the dwelling (branches, bark), then the usable area increases and you can contain more insects. Special plastic containers are lightweight, equipped with a lid and handles. They can be easily moved, taken with you for display.

On top of the aquarium or box is covered with a lid with a metal mesh for ventilation. Litter is poured at the bottom with a layer of 4-6 cm. A moisture-intensive substrate is recommended - coconut crumbs, sawdust, oak leaves. The internal content is chosen for your own aesthetic taste. Terrarium with a substrate imitating forest litter, branches and bark has a decorative appeal.If the aesthetic component is not important, then you can fill the cockroach house with cardboard egg trays. Blueberries feel equally good in the first and second case.

Information. Mexican cockroaches do not fly and do not crawl along smooth walls, they do not need to lubricate the upper part of the cage with petroleum jelly.

To create comfortable conditions for pets will help snags, branches, bark, placed in the insectarium. All items are pre-treated with boiling water, this will destroy ticks and other parasites. Cockroaches like to climb artificial elevations. The temperature inside the insectaria should be 25-30⁰ C. Humidity - 60-70%. A red lamp will help to provide exotic creatures with heat; periodic moisture spraying with warm water will be required to maintain humidity.

Attention. Exotic pets should be handled with care. A frightened giant blober can bite, scratch with sharp spikes on its legs or emit a pungent unpleasant odor.

Food

Cockroaches have strong jaws of a gnawing type, they are able to eat dry and juicy food. Variety is important. The diet should include the following foods:

• Hercules flakes, compound feed;
• White bread;
• apples
• pears
• oranges
• bananas
• cucumbers
• meat;
• greens (lettuce, dandelion leaves).

Tip. As a top dressing, replenishing the lack of calcium, eggshell is used. They wash it, release it from the film and grind it with a coffee grinder. The powder is added to the feed or directly to the substrate.

Breeding and maintaining Mexican cockroaches is not difficult. When feeding, part of the food is placed on the surface of the substrate. This allows small larvae to get close to the feed from below. Twice a month it is recommended to give insects gammarus, which is an excellent source of protein. Serving size depends on the number of cockroaches in the colony. You should put cotton wool or a sponge in the drinker, otherwise small larvae can drown. Experienced breeders recommend alternating products. After 3-4 days, a change of diet occurs. Vegetables are replaced with fruits, then give greens. Dry food should always be present.

Tip. A balanced diet of insects will help prevent cannibalism, eating young animals.

Cockroaches take away food debris throughout the insectaria. Products begin to rot, mold appears. They must be cleaned in a timely manner. Otherwise, ticks will be able to destroy the entire colony of pets.