Blaberus Explained

Blaberus is a genus of cockroaches native to the Neotropics found in the Americas. At least 31 valid species are in the genus, as well as at least 39 invalid species, and some of them are popular among hobbyists as pets or as feed for other arthropods (Blaberus discoidalis in particular serves this function). Unlike several genera of cockroaches considered to be pests, this genus keeps its ootheca in its abdomen until the time it hatches. They generally require a relative humidity of 60% or higher to thrive and temperatures above 25 °C (28-30 °C is best) to reproduce.

Blaberus giganteus is one of the world's longest cockroaches. B. craniifers popular name, "death's head roach" is often attributed to B. discoidalis, as well.

Species

This genus contains these species (now placed in 4 superspecies marked with a §):^[1]

• Blaberus affinis Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977
• Blaberus anisitsi Brancsik, 1898
• Blaberus asellus (Thunberg, 1826)
• Blaberus atropos (Stoll, 1813) (= "Blaberus fusca") §
• Blaberus boliviensis Princis, 1946
• Blaberus brasilianus Saussure, 1864 §
• Blaberus colosseus (Illiger, 1801)
• Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838
• Blaberus discoidalis Serville, 1839
• Blaberus duckei Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977
• Blaberus fusiformis Walker, 1868
• Blaberus giganteus (Linnaeus, 1758) §
• Blaberus latissimus (Herbst, 1786)
• Blaberus supersp. macurus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 §
  • Blaberus macurus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013
• Blaberus matogrossensis Rocha e Silva & Aguiar, 1977
• Blaberus minor Saussure, 1864
• Blaberus parabolicus Walker, 1868
• Blaberus paulistanus Lopes & de Oliveira, 2000
• Blaberus peruvianus Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977
• Blaberus scutatus Saussure & Zehntner, 1894

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cockroach Species File . 25 October 2023.