Indian Roach - Roach Crossing

Pycnoscelus indicus

Starter colony (12 mixed nymphs): $20

Detailed Species Stats -Click-

- Adult Size: Male: 21 mm. Female: 24 mm.

- Climbing Abilities: Adults and some large nymphs can climb.

- Flying Abilities: Adult males may be able to fly.

- Mode of Birth: Ovoviviparous.

- Care Level: Easy.

- Temperature Requirements: 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Air Humidity: Not picky.

- Substrate Humidity: Not picky.

- Favorite Foods: Not picky.

Locality: None.

Though it isn’t the most visually appealing, the Indian roach has an interesting history. It has been flip-flopped around through various taxonomic identities, mainly because of its relative: the parthenogenetic Surinam roach. The two species cannot hybridize and have females that are sometimes identical; however, the Surinam roach is a daughter species that was produced by asexual female Indian roaches. To confuse things further, male roaches occasionally pop up in Surinam roach cultures, though these have been found to be sterile. The relations between these two interesting taxa warrants further study, as many mysteries may be waiting in their genomes.