Marble Cockroaches

Marble cockroach originally lived in Northeast Africa, but thanks to the development of transport, it settled on other continents. The Latin name Nauphoeta cinerea (naufet) is also called an ashen cockroach, marmoset. This is a synanthropic species, therefore insects settle mainly in the vicinity of human habitation. Like Turkmen cockroachesare a quality food for spiders, frogs, turtles and other exotic pets.

Appearance, lifestyle

What do marble cockroaches look like:

• the size of an adult female does not exceed 3 cm, males grow up to 2.5 cm;
• the color of the imago is ash or brown with a pattern characteristic of marble, elytra covered with small inclusions; brown larvae;
• flattened oval body with a triangular head;
• have 6 legscovered with hairs;
• have wings but to flying species do not apply;
• cockroach structure same as all representatives of the suborder Blattaria.

Life cycle is 8-12 months. Under natural conditions, they settle mainly in fallen foliage. Begin active at dusk. Plant foods are used as feed; in its absence, animal remains are also able to consume.

Three pairs of paws provide quick movement on horizontal and vertical surfaces. Ash cockroaches are shy: in any danger they strive to hide in the nearest cracks, secluded places. Favorable conditions for naufuets: water and a warm climate, die when frozen. Photos of marble cockroaches are presented below.

Why breed marbles

Due to its high protein content, nufuet willingly eat hedgehogs, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, mantis and other insectivorous representatives of the fauna. Home breeding is of interest to those who wish to provide their exotic pets with quality, live food.

Marble cockroaches are bred for extra profit. Feed insects are not demanding on the conditions of detention, multiply rapidly, tolerate crowding well. They sell marbles through pet stores, message boards, thematic groups on social networks. The price of one individual varies from 2 to 10 rubles.

Breeding Marble Cockroaches

For the development of the colony, it is necessary to purchase at least 2-3 females and as many males. The optimal number of individuals to start breeding is 20. A terrarium (insectarium) is also required. For the maintenance of marble cockroaches, it is necessary to ensure a favorable temperature regime - not higher than + 35 ° C and humidity within 50-60%.

Arrangement of insectarium

An aquarium, containers, cans, buckets and other glass and plastic containers are used as a home for cockroaches. It is important that the height of the walls is at least 20 cm. The upper sides of the terrarium are lubricated with petroleum jelly, approximately a 5-centimeter strip. Such a measure will avoid the escape of brisk individuals.

Important!

Cockroaches need good ventilation, so they make small holes in the top cover or use a fine mesh.

The bottom is equipped with a substrate.Vermiculite is often used, it is poured with a layer of 1 cm. But many breeders of feed insects consider this an excess. There must be shelters for cockroaches. They use paper trays, cardboard, but these structures should not touch the top of the cage, otherwise the "pets" will come out of it at any opportunity.

Place the terrarium in a dark place, so cockroaches will be active almost around the clock. In the cold season, it may be necessary to warm the air, so you should consider in advance the possibility of installing a lamp for heating insectaria. In heated rooms at room temperature, 20-25 ° C is enough for the development of the population.

It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the terrarium, as they get dirty and wet, change cardboard, paper shelters.

Captions of ashen cockroaches

Insects need a lot of fiber and protein. The amount of fat is limited, their excess can be fatal. Also, the nutritional value of feed insects that abuse fats is reduced to zero. Do not overfeed and protein foods, plant products should prevail.

How to feed marble cockroaches:

• cabbage leaves;
• apples
• peaches;
• oat groats;
• crackers;
• gammarus;
• shrimp
• cat's food;
• greens;
• dandelions;
• carrot cleaning.

On a note!

Judging by the reviews on the forums, pumpkin, bananas, tomatoes, and lard are not recommended.

Opinions differ on drinkers. The first option is to install low drinkers in the substrate, their height should be such that the insects do not choke and drown. The second option - drinkers replace succulent greens. The third method is to irrigate the cage every two to three days.

It is necessary to ensure that the cockroaches always have food. In its absence, hungry individuals will begin to consume cellulose: cardboard in the terrarium.

How to breed

The reproduction of ash cockroaches occurs year-round. An equal number of females and males are placed in a separate insectarium. During mating games, the male flies its wings to attract a partner and releases pheromones. After fertilization, an ooteka is formed in the body of the female - a capsule in which there is up to 30 eggs. The female always carries it with her, periodically pulls it out and ventilates.

On a note!

A female marble cockroach discharges the edema only if there are problems with the development of offspring or when it is unfertilized.

Ovoviviparous females. 3-4 weeks after fertilization, small larvaethat love to dig into the ground. As they grow older they shed, discard the old chitinous cover, at such moments they are white. The full development cycle from egg to imago is 4 months.

To accelerate reproduction, maintain a temperature at a level of 30 - 35 ° C and provide individuals with water. To reduce the rate of development of the population, lower the temperature and settle in separate terrariums of males and females.

Differences between male and female

Sexual dimorphism of marble cockroaches is not only in body size. The wings of males are shorter, the back of the trunk is pointed. Before mating, they actively wave their wings. In males, the upper side of the abdomen is almost black; in the female, it is lighter. You can distinguish a female from a male by the oteke that she wears on herself.

On a note!

If it was not possible to identify the gender, it is necessary to carefully examine the lower part of the abdomen: in the female, the last 2 sternitis transformed into the genital plate, the abdomen itself is much wider than in males.

Are marble cockroaches dangerous for humans

The harm to people from marbles is the same as from others species of cockroaches. If for some reason the "domesticated" insects leave the insectarium, they are quite capable of creating a colony in the apartment.And then they already go into the category of pests that carry helminth eggs on their paws, bacteria. The methods of disposal are identical to traditional cockroach control.

Theoretically, he cannot bite a marble cockroach. However, with the content of feed insects, it should be borne in mind that their feces, excreta can provoke allergic reactions.