Red and Black Roach - Roach Crossing

Opisthoplatia orientalis

Mixed nymphs: $5/each
Starter colony (12 mixed nymphs): $40

Detailed Species Stats -Click-

- Adult Size: Male: 33 mm. Female: 40 mm.

- Climbing Abilities: Adults of both sexes can climb.

- Flying Abilities: Cannot fly.

- Mode of Birth: Ovoviviparous.

- Care Level: Intermediate.

- Temperature Requirements: 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Air Humidity: Not picky.

- Substrate Humidity: Moist.

- Favorite Foods: Cucumbers.

Locality: None.

The red and black roach has a very wide distribution and is quite adaptable. For a long time, it was the only member of the subfamily Epilamprinae available in the hobby: a testament to its hardiness. Both nymphs and adults fully utilize bark slabs for hiding and will come out at night to feed and explore. The flat nymphs are strikingly different from the adults, sporting a palette of earthy brown and gray until their final molt. Upon maturing, the high contrast adult achieves its slick and shiny namesake red and black coloration with white-fringed pronotum borders. It is though that in the wild this species may use semi-aquatic habitats at least seasonally, and it would be interesting to attempt to keep them in a semi-aquatic enclosure.