New Chinese Inverts!

Back in Summer I received a few new Chinese species, which I'm hoping I can establish colonies of. 🤞 

First off, we have Rhabdoblatta imperatrix. These are one of the largest species of Rhabdoblatta, pretty much Blaberus sized. As such they need a lot of space even for a starter colony, and are also similar to others Rhabdoblattinae in their disdain for buildups of filth, overcrowding, and lack of food (so a large colony will need quite a bit of space, and preferably lots of surface area and leaf litter). So definitely a species for the experienced Blatticulturist, but rewarding in their impressive size and adult patterning. 

I've got my half a dozen nymphs in a moderately ventilated 5 gallon bin with an inch of coconut fiber substrate, topped with coco coir chunks, sphagnum moss, and lots of leaf litter. There are eggcrates and cardboard rolls for hides, and I'm offering dog food and fruits as the staple diet. The enclosure is very moist, and being kept at around 75F°.

Here are some pictures of a large nymph, either a pre-sub or subadult:

They are nearly black, and have some interesting ridges/texture on the exoskeleton. Can't wait to see adults in person.

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Next up got a group of Hemilepistus pavlovskii from Xinjiang, China. Unfortunately most of the group died either in transit or shortly afterwards, but luckily a 2.2 group survived, and have acclimated to their setup well. This is one of the longest terrestrial isopods, and the body shape is also very unique; they are slender and very thick shelled, with tubercles on their heads and first couple body segments. They are sexually dimorphic in coloration, with males having thin white margins on their body segments, and an overall lighter grey coloration, compared to the slighter darker females that lack any white segment margins.

This is a temperate Chinese species, hailing from arid desert habitats with clay based soils. As such they like a dry setup with good ventilation, and a clay based substrate. They seem to eat the clay, and likely incorporate the minerals into their very thick exoskeletons.

I have mine in a well ventilated 3 gallon bin with a few inches of clay soil, topped with leaf litter and a partially buried cork bark tube. I'm keeping two opposite corners humid, the rest bone dry, and am offering them calcium carbonate chunks and fish pellets as supplemental food. I keep them at around 75F° most of the year, but am providing them with a mild winter diapause, since they are a temperate Chinese species (so they're currently at around 60F°).

Here are some pictures of an adult male:

Shortly after putting them into diapause, it would appear my females started showing some development in their marsupiums, so I am hopeful they will give birth by Spring! 🤞 Would be amazing to get these established in the US hobby!

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I also got a small group of around 8 Pseudoglomeris angustifolia, a black and punctate Pseudoglomeris species that is unique in being only one of two species in the genus with brachyapterous males. Care seems similar to P.tarsalis, but being a temperate Chinese species a winter diapause is seemingly required for the health of the colony.

I have mine in a well ventilated enclosure with a thin layer of coconut fiber substrate, one third kept moist, the rest dry. I've given them vertically slanted cork bark and some leaf litter for hides, and am feeding them dog food, fish pellets, artificial pollen and fruits. Right now they're in diapause at around 60F°, but come February I'll move them back to my bug room and keep them at around 75F° (temps in the 80+ range don't appear to be favorable for any of the temperate Chinese Pseudoglomeris spp.).

Here are some pictures of one of the nymphs:

Here's hoping they'll mature successfully and breed!

I had also received a small group of P.beybeinkoi, but sadly those did not acclimate nearly as well from the shipping stress, and died not too long after arrival. 

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Finally for roaches, I was also sent several oothecae of a Blattid as a freebie, presumably a Chinese species. Unfortunately the container was unlabeled, sent as a surprise, and neither the person I received them from or I really have any idea what they are (nor was I able to get any locality data). All but one of the ooths were completely rotted, and the one decent ooth hatched in transit, only two of those nymphs survived.

Crazily enough, those two nymphs are a sexed pair, and I think are nearing maturity. Still no idea what they are, but I may be able to find out once they mature. 🤞

Here are some pictures of one of these mystery nymphs:

Hopefully they will mature successfully and then breed for me, I'll be sure to keep y'all posted!

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Lastly, I received 5 larvae of a species of Eocyphogenia (no locality other than China sadly). These are a neat species of darkling, and this is a rare opportunity for me, as exotic darkling beetles are few and far between in culture.

I've been rearing them in a similar fashion to how I rear Cryptoglossini, isolated in 2 oz deli cups with a mix of coco fiber and sand, kept semi-humid, and fed dog food/fish pellets. I've been keeping them at around 75F°, though I may raise the temperatures to induce more successful pupation.

So far three larvae have made pupal cells, one sadly died in the prepupal stage for no apparent reason, and another died as a pupa. One is still in the pre-pupal stage, and two more larvae are still growing. It would appear that either more heat, specific humidity, or perhaps a more sand based substrate may be required for successful pupation.

Here are some pictures of a large larva:

These are not going to be large beetles, comparable in size to a more medium sized Eleodes, hopefully I can indeed rear the remaining three to adulthood though, and then luck out with getting a pair and breeding them too. 🤞

Anyways, that does it for this post, thanks for reading, hope everyone enjoyed, happy new year, and I'll see you all next time! 😉