Dropped Ootheca

 

G. portentosa ootheca

I get asked this question quite often, “Why is my female dropping her egg cases (ootheca)?”.  A ootheca (egg case) is a segmented cluster of eggs a female roach produces and either lays (Oviparous) or holds and gives live birth (Viviparous).

 

Females will carry the ootheca protruding from their bursa, which is at their tail end until she either retracts it back into her uterus to incubate until the eggs hatch, or hide it somewhere until the eggs hatch, depending on the species. Egg laying species like B. lateralis will glue the ootheca in place securely with saliva when deposited. Generally 2 columns of eggs side by side form a cluster of 16-60 eggs (3/8″ – 1.5″). Ootheca’s can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months to hatch.

Roaches usually drop eggs cases (ootheca) if there is something wrong with their care or environment. Too wet, or too dry for to long, not fed in a long while (more than a week regularly), temps too cold/hot, etc. There could be a problem with fertility if it’s just one or two ootheca’s, but many, there is something else going on. Females may also drop their ootheca when dying.

Disturbing your roaches to often may also stress the female. The ootheca is gently held in the bursa and could easily fall off when the roach is handled roughly, like shaking the egg flat she hides in, etc. Blatta lateralis female will often drop under-developed ootheca’s when disturbed. Another possibility may be to many males.

When breeding roaches for food for your pets, you should have two bins. One for your breeders and one for your feeders. more if you want to separate by size. By having a separate bin for your breeders, the only time you should disturb them is when feeding and watering.

So if you’re experiencing dropped ootheca’s, double-check your setup and routines! Most species don’t need much to breed or keep as pets. A few places to hide, food, water source, warm temps if breeding, room temps if keeping as a pet and some humidity and your good to go.

Ergaula capucina (Beetle Roach / Bat Roach)

 

Ergaula capucina female

Ergaula capucina (Beetle Roach / Bat Roach) are now available. For anyone who is a collector of Polyphagid genus, this roach is a must-have. The female look like round beetles. The pattern on E. capucina wings also look like that of a bat if hanging upside down. E. capucina likes it dry and can be kept the same as Polyphaga aegyptiaca.

 

E capucina enjoy moist dog food, among other things. Females can be as big (all around) as a quarter, the males slim and reach a little over an inch in length, not a large species. E. capucina female lay fancy looking ootheca (egg case) which hatch in as little as a couple of months. Substrate is a must for E. capucina as they spend most their underground, coming up occasionally to feed or drink. The adult male can climb but adult females and nymphs cannot.

Catching Escapees!

Most peoples biggest fear of keeping and breeding roaches is, “what if they get loose”. Below are a few ways to catch any that may get loose.

Some background info:
In general, tropical species of roaches will not infest your home in the US, with the exception of Florida and a few southern states like CA, AZ, TX. Tropical roaches require warmer, moist humid conditions and a readily supply of food and water to survive. Most households don’t have these conditions. We live in S. CA. and have NEVER had a problem.

Roaches need to be hydrated and plenty of humidity to molt (grow) successfully. If its to dry, they end up dying during this process, so again, not likely to survive long outside there artificial environment. I have escapes occasionally, but always end up finding them dead days later. Usually on there back, Legs up or in one of the traps mentioned below.

Trapping escapees:
I know of 5 ways to catch these little critters.

1) Sticky mice/rat glue traps. These work well at catching the roaches and anything crawling around in your room. They come flat. I take them and fold them into rectangular boxes, keeps the dust out better and the roaches are attracted to most anything they can hide in.

2) Inverted bottle trap. Take a soda bottle, cut the top off about 3″ inches down and invert into bottle. You can put water or anything else you think might attract them in the bottom. Lean the bottle against a wall. The roaches will climb the wall and fall into the bottle when attempting to get whats in the bottom.

3) Water death trap. Similar to one above but just place a tall cup or glass against a wall and fill half with water. Loose roaches are attracted to water and are drawn to it like a magnet. Roach climbs wall, falls in and drowns.

4) Live food trap. Identical to the above, but with a food source instead of water. Now if left unattended to long, any caught roaches will perish due to lack of water.

5) Egg flats. These work okay for catching them live. Egg flats provide a place to hide and feel secure. Eventually they venture in and make themselves at home. Place egg flats in various locations and check periodically for tenants.

All the above have worked for me. The sticky glue traps had the best results overall. If you have a different way that has worked for you, please share it with us. Always room to learn!