5/21/2022: New success with Blattella vaga?

Younger iterations of Kyle had some incredible roach luck. To this day I occasionally struggle with Deropeltis sp., Neostylopyga rhombifolia, and Eurycotis opaca, species I was able to produce in good numbers consistently in the past. Another in those ranks is Blattella vaga, surprisingly.

It’s been at least 7 years since I’ve maintained a producing colony of this species, though I’ve tried several times to get a new one going in that window. Typically, I received a good mix of nymphs, they grow just fine, then adults appear and never reproduce, not even forming oothecae.

This time, I’ve restarted with stock of Alabama origin, and with some observations that might hold the key.

When visiting Dr. Appel in Alabama, he mentioned seeing Blattella vaga eating salty precipitate crystals in crop fields. The new Alabama stock, found by Alan Jeon, has all been found in areas with some salt water intrusion. I have wondered if the old diet I offered my vaga was saltier dog food, and Dr. Appel suggested giving them a small amount of table salt to sample when needed.

In addition to keeping with new Blattella protocol and using well-ventilated enclosures (and a touch more heat than I’ve offered prior), I gave this new set of vaga a small salt dish. Lo and behold, a few weeks after putting them in the set-up and adult maturing, one female has produced an ootheca!

Time will tell if the colony will establish for me, but if they do this opens a few doors. This species would make a great feeder since it’s very active during the day, prolific, soft-bodied, and establishment outside of cultures rendered almost impossible if salt is needed as a regular diet component.

-Kyle