Striped Sun Roach - Roach Crossing

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Hemithyrsocera vittata

Mixed nymphs: $10/each
Starter colony (12 mixed nymphs): $100

Detailed Species Stats -Click-

Adult Size: Male: 24 mm. Female: 25 mm.
Climbing Abilities: All life stages can climb.
Flying Abilities: Adults of both sexes can fly.
Mode of Birth: Oviparous.
Care Level: Advanced.
Temperature Requirements: 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Humidity: Moist with good ventilation.
Substrate Humidity: Dry.
Favorite Foods: Not picky.
Locality: None.

This is my second favorite cockroach and will quickly become an adored species for anyone who puts the effort into keeping them. The striped sun roach has something for everyone, even ardent cockroach critics. Newborns are unmistakable ant mimics, even holding their abdomen up when disturbed as some ants do. After a few instars the mimicry fades as the species assumes its next phenotype: medium to large nymphs are wildly zebra-marked with a blob of red on the mid abdomen, a literal cherry-on-top! The color metamorphosis is not complete yet, as adults retain the black and white body coloration but don jet black, yellow-sided wings, a yellow pronotum crown encircling a dark void, and electrically white cerci. This species is day active, although at rest you may only see a few individuals scurrying around at any time. However, give the colony a light mist and you’ll be treated to an explosion of color as everyone runs out for a quick drink and some socializing, antennae ablaze with life! Roach Crossing has failed with this species several times but has finally worked out the kinks and is proud to finally make them available. High ventilation is critical and these roaches do manually thermoregulate, preferring daytime temps at least in the 80s. Colonies are study once established, but making sure everyone is hydrated, warm, and with good airflow is vital if extended time is taken from doing maintenance. Despite its energetic nature, the striped sun roach grows much more slowly than similar-sized species, and adults are respectively long-lived for an Ectobiid with females pushing 9 months. This species is definitely not recommended for handling as all life stages are panicked easily, fast, and high-strung. A good escape-proof set-up is important to prevent these exploratory creatures from diffusing. For accommodating these needs, the keeper is given a front-row seat to viewing one of the prettiest insects on Earth.