classicroach

Cockroach information and Enthusiasm!

[classicroach]

Welcome to my blog!

Feel free to ask me questions and if I make any mistakes, please correct me. Just take into consideration that I am still learning too!

[classicroach]

[skyriderarts]

GLOBAL PROTESTS ON MARCH 2ND, 2024

This website will tell you where to find your closest rally to protest against the assault on Rafah, the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, the starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people, and the attacks on Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

Mark that day off, make signs, and remember Protester etiquette;

Physically tell someone and write down where you're going to be, how long you should be there, and when you're expected to be back or when they should hear from you. If they don't or you're not back after that time, tell them to get in contact with the National Lawyers Guild and the ACLU if you live in the States. You can also search for lawyers that do what's called "Mass Defense Program"(fancy term for when a bunch of protesters are nabbed at once) in your area for region appropriate alternatives.

Do NOT wear anything that has identifiable logos or symbols that the police can reverse search for, Cops found people from the George Floyd marches from a shirt found off Etsy. Wear layers in case you are grabbed by anyone, and purses should have a quick-release clip with little in them as possible if that gets snatched too. Have on shoes you feel comfortable walking for hours on end in and are also good for if you quickly need to run away from police. And *MOST DEFINITELY* WEAR A FUCKING MASK! Not just so police can't get you recorded to he tracked down at your home later, *WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID AND YOU DON'T WANNA DIE TO IT!*

Keep an eye out for people in the crowds who seem like they're trying to rile up a mob or otherwise become violent; at best they're pulling attention away from the actual intent of the march, at worse they're undercover cops trying to entrap you and everyone around you.

Bring an umbrella: The protesters of Hong Kong taught us that even if the weather will be dry for you, it's a very simple shield that'll keep any water or chemicals from being sprayed on you.

If worst comes to worst and you do get arrested (and this one primarily applies to Americans, I'm sorry but I don't know about the rest of the world. If it's similar please educate me and others with an addition to this post) you've got *two sentences* you need to repeat; "I have the right to remain silent. I have the right to an attorney." SHUT THE FUCK UP AFTER THAT! No matter what they try and scare you with, what they try and bribe you with, you just shut the fuck up.

[classicroach]

Back to basics || ep 1

Gromphadorhina portentosa (Madagascan hissing cockroach)

I would argue that hissing roaches are the most well know roaches in the exotic pet community. They are know for their loud hiss (surprising, right?) and are very common pets for beginners and collectors alike. They are great pets for kids as they are very hardy and easy to keep.

This species does not have eggs and gives birth to live young, they can be told apart by looking at the horns on their heads or by looking at their undersides.

I would argue that these are the best choice if you're looking to get into insects or roaches. I've added some resources below if youre interested in keeping them.

Youtube resources

@the.millipede on tiktok

@luccasbiohub on tiktok

[classicroach]

I'm back!

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus, I am now developing a new series - "Back to Basics" where I plan to show off some of the most popular and well know roaches. See you all soon!

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a teneral male dubia cockroach (Blaptica dubia)

most cockroaches are white just after molting their exoskeleton & darken as they harden up!

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Hello!

If this post is posted, it means that I haven't had time to create the next part of my cockroach species series. Hold on tight for the next update!

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 7

Arenivaga

This is a genus of sand cockroaches. They are very interesting as the colour of their exoskeleton varies depending on what food they eat. This is because they sequester pigments from their food; they accumulate uric acid on varying levels which also affects their appearance.

Aptera fusca

I don't know what to tell you. These are honestly some of the most beautiful cockroaches I have shown you so far. These are known as Cape Mountain cockroaches, giant cockroaches or Table Mountain cockroaches and are fairly large with females (like in the image) being 1.2 to 1.6 inches and then males being around 1.1 inches. In a similar way to Madagascan hissers, when threatened they lift their abdomen and squeak or hiss. It can also produce a foul-smelling liquid. Unlike Madagascan hissers, the males have large brown wings.

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 6

Simandoa conserfariam (Simandoa cave cockroaches)

This is one of my favourite species of cockroach. Unfortunately, they are considered extinct in the wild due to their natural habitat being mined. They previously were only found in one cave in Guinea but are now commonly kept as pets and reptile food by keepers. Luckily, the scientists who discovered them took some home before their habitat was destroyed. They are very recognisable through their unique pattern.

Eucorydia aenea

This is a very beautiful cockroach divided into three subspecies: Eucorydia aenea aenea, Eucorydia aenea dasytoides and Eucorydia aenea plagiata. Unfortunately I am unable to find any more information about these cockroaches. However, in Greco-Roman mythology, Aeneas was the name of a Trojan hero and 'The first true hero of Rome'.

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 5

Saltoblattella montistabularis (The leaproach)

This is a newly discovered species of jumping cockroach found near Cape Town in 2009. It was nicknamed the 'leaproach' due to its jumping mechanisms which work very similarly to grasshoppers' jumping mechanisms. Its ability to jump is completely unique compared to the other 4,600 or so species of cockroach. Since the discovery in 2009, at least 2 other Saltoblattella species have been discovered. This is a video of the cockroach jumping.

Therea olegrandjeani (Question-mark cockroach)

This awesome cockroach is known as the question-mark cockroach for the unique white markings that resemble a question-mark. Because of their unique pattern, they are very popular among insect keepers. They are found in India.

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 4

Polyphaga saussurei

These cockroaches are found in South Asia and North-East Caucasus. They are great pets but not commonly kept. These are very interesting as these two are the same species but the males (left) look incredibly different from the females (right). They can live to over 2.5 years and produce an unpleasant odor when disturbed. They are very similar and potentially the same as Polyphaga saussurei (Giant sand cockroaches).

Pseudomops septentrionalis (Firefly cockroach or pale-bordered field cockroach)

These cockroaches look super cool and almost cartoon-like. They are found in the South-East of the US in low-growing vegetation and flowers. The 'pseudo' in Pseudomops means fake or false. This makes sense as these are seen as pseudo fireflies.

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 3

Panchlora nivea (Cuban cockroach)

These super cool looking cockroaches actually only grow up to 24mm (females) or 15mm (males). They are strong fliers and found in Cuba, the Caribbean and along the Gulf Coast. They are also found in subtropical or tropical climates. Both the males and females are this pale green but the nymphs are brown or black. They are often attracted to lights, like the Asian cockroach which is an unusual characteristic as most cockroaches avoid light. Like Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches, they hold their ootheca (egg sack) within their body until the eggs hatch after about 48 days.

Plectoptera picta (Pictured beetle cockroach)

This beautiful cockroach is found in Central and North America. Although it is known as a Pictured Beetle Cockroach, cockroaches are actually more closely related to mantises than they are to beetles. An account from Nickle and Gurney in 1985: "The resemblance is so close that the collector (a coleopterist) of the most recently collected specimen presumed that he had collected a small hydrophilid beetle."

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Cool cockroaches I've learnt about pt 2

Arenivaga investigata (Desert cockroach)

This is a super cool beige cockroach found in sand dunes of the Colorado desert in America. Theyre able to gain weight by absorption of water vapor using bladder-like structures that protrude from their mouths as a site for water to condensate that they can then drink. People aren't quite sure how this works yet.

Drymaplaneta communis (Common shining cockroach)

These cockroaches are commonly found in South-East Australian gardens and comes. They do not have health risks in the house. There was a large population increase of these in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this is likely to be related to gardeners adding mulch to their gardens which created a great habitat for them. I like these cockroaches for their beautiful shine.

[classicroach]

What's your favourite kind of cockroach?

Thank you for the ask!

I'll always have a soft spot for Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches as they were the first ones I learnt about back in 2018. I even kept two as pets (photo below). They were wonderful pets and fascinating to watch, I would totally recommend them as pets too.

However, out of the cockroaches I've seen since starting this series, I'd have to say Saltoblattella montistabularis or the leaproach has been the one I've most enjoyed talking and learning about so far (you'll see them this Saturday).

Here's a sneak peek at what they look like!

[classicroach]

Cool cockroaches I've learn about today

Megaloblatta longipennis

I couldn't find any general name for it and the wikipedia page is like 2 sentences but it has a pretty funny name and is described as being known for "their exceptional size; the largest specimen measured 3.8 inches in length, 1.75 inches in width and had a wingspan of 8 inches".

Temnopteryx phalerata (Cape Zebra Cockroach)

This one i like because it looks super cool abs colourful. It hasn't got any wings which is surprisingly common in cockroaches. It is endemic to the Fynbos biome of the Western Cape province of South Africa.