Introducing the Pacific Cockroach!

Roachcrossing Winter '23 Package Series Pt. 5/5

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The Pacific Cockroach, Euthyrrhapha pacifica, has been a little bit of a "holy grail" species for US roach breeders for years, due to the attractive coloration of the adults, and the fact that they're found in Hawaii, close enough to the mainland to make people think they'd definitely enter culture sooner or later. Well, people were right, and thankfully their care seems to be very similar to that of a tropical Eucorydia, so pretty easy overall. 😁 Kyle's been able to breed this species and establish them in culture pretty easily.

One unique aspect of this roach species is that their oothecae have absolutely no hatching seam, instead nymphs have to actually chew their way out of the oothecae! 😳 It's unknown why exactly they evolved to have ooths like this, perhaps the lack of a hatching seam prevents ooths from dessicating better? Who knows lol, at the very least, it adds to the uniqueness and charm of this little roach species. 😊

I've got my 10 or so small nymphs set up in a very well ventilated container with an inch or so of coconut fiber as the substrate, topped with leaf litter. I'm keeping a third of the substrate humid, the rest bone dry, and have them at around 75-85F°. In addition to the leaf litter, I'm feeding the nymphs dog food, and will provide fruits and possibly pollen/artificial pollen to adults.

Here are some pics:

So stoked to finally be working with this cute little Corydiid, hopefully I'll get a nice colony established in no time! 😁 

Well, that does it for today's post, and for this series of new acquisitions from Roachcrossing! Thanks for reading, hope everyone enjoyed, stay safe, and I'll see you all next time! 😉