Blaberus is a genus of cockroaches native to the Neotropics found in the Americas. At least 31 valid species are in the genus, as well as at least 39 invalid species, and some of them are popular among hobbyists as pets or as feed for other arthropods (Blaberus discoidalis in particular serves this function). Unlike several genera of cockroaches considered to be pests, this genus keeps its ootheca in its abdomen until the time it hatches. They generally require a relative humidity of 60% or higher to thrive and temperatures above 25 ðC (28-30 ðC is best) to reproduce.
Blaberus giganteus is one of the world's longest cockroaches. B. craniifers popular name, "death's head roach" is often attributed to B. discoidalis, as well.
Species
This genus contains these species (now placed in 4 superspecies marked with a ç):
- Blaberus asellus <small>Thunberg, 1826</small>
- Blaberus latissimus <small>Herbst, 1786</small>
- Blaberus supersp. atropos <small>Roth, 1786</small> ç
- Blaberus amazonensis <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus anisitsi <small>Brancsik, 1898</small>
- Blaberus atropos <small>Stoll, 1813</small>
- Blaberus boliviensis <small>Princis, 1946</small>
- Blaberus colombianus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus discoidalis <small>Serville, 1839</small>
- Blaberus duckei <small>Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977</small>
- Blaberus matogrossensis <small>Rocha e Silva & Aguiar, 1977</small>
- Blaberus neomatogrossensis <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus parabolicus <small>Walker, 1868</small>
- Blaberus paulistanus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2000</small>
- Blaberus peruvianus <small>Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977</small>
- Blaberus peruvibolicus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus yuracianus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus supersp. brasilianus <small>Roth, 1969</small> ç
- Blaberus affinis <small>Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977</small>
- Blaberus brasilianus <small>Sausseur, 1864</small>
- Blaberus chacoensis <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus colosseus <small>Illiger, 1801</small>
- Blaberus fusiformis <small>Walker, 1868</small>
- Blaberus minor <small>Saussure, 1864</small>
- Blaberus neofusiformis <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus nigrocephalicus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus parafusiformis <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus scutatus <small>Saussure & Zehntner, 1894</small>
- Blaberus valleyanus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus supersp. giganteus <small>Roth, 1969</small> ç
- Blaberus craniifer <small>Burmeister, 1838</small>
- Blaberus giganteus <small>Linnaeus, 1758</small>
- Blaberus nigromaculatus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
- Blaberus supersp. macurus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small> ç
- Blaberus macurus <small>Lopes & Oliveira, 2013</small>
References