Death's head and Giant Death's head cohabitation?

[abstract]

Cool - Thank you all! I still don't have a TON of roaches yet, so I don't think competition should be much of an issue.....yet.

Charlie - I'm not even starting with you

James - I actually got this one at FGMMA - http://www.fgmma.com/?p=avatar

"Allllllriiiiight!"

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

As Wade mentioned, you're very likely to eventually wipe out the B.giganteus if you keep them together so why bother buying the B.giganteus if you're planning to wipe them out? Have fun, but it sounds like a waste of money.

The brand new term "false death's head" is extremely annoying because there are a bunch of roaches that would be more accurately termed that than the Discoids, B. fusca especially because of it's close relationship to B.craniifer (sometimes synonymous depending on the taxonomist). I could call my Nauphoeta or Panchlora 'false death's heads' if you want to buy some. Cooler name I guess anyway. Maybe I'll change my orange heads name to "False Giant Rhinoceros Cockroaches from Australia" or "False 8 inch long roach" Betchya I could sell a ton. I think I'm going to change my hissing cockroaches to "Giant Minotaur Cockroach" What do you think?

 

[James M.]

I think it does not sound good. I too do not like the name, it is misleding. I was just explaning to Dustin that that is what Charles was calling them and that he got mixed up from that. Then I proceded to explain what he had and the difranses. I like discoids much beeter and it makes it clear and easy to figure out. I beleve that the term False death's head came from the fact that many people wher selling discoids as Death's head and wher screwing up the names. I beleave you can read a little about it at All Pet Roaches, I think thats whear I read about it.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

I thought after writing that I made a mistake since not everyone understands sarcasm and I might start seeing hissers labeled as 'giant minotaur roaches'.
The Allpet Roaches site doesn't say anything about a 'false death's head' but maybe I should change it to read better.

 

[abstract]

As Wade mentioned, you're very likely to eventually wipe out the B.giganteus if you keep them together so why bother buying the B.giganteus if you're planning to wipe them out?

Actually, I don't INTEND on wiping them out (although I did get them for real cheap). As of now though, I have a small roach colony, and haven't even been feeding adults. I don't think competition for resources should really be an issue (plenty 'o space and food), and although I definitely appreciate and will weigh Wade's observations, I don't think the fact that his giganteus reduced for unknown reasons is enough evidence for me to justify creating a seperate colony, in limited apartment space, and just for the purpose of feeding my ~20 spiders.

As long as they're not killing eachother, I don't have any problems keeping them together. I'll post any observations I have here.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

In a few months you ought to have tons of discoids and at that time you will want to remove the B.giganteus if you'd like to keep them going. Good luck! Maybe you'll decide you like the roaches as much as the Ts some day.

 

[abstract]

I have to admit, they are pretty neat so far. I believe one the the giganteus molted mature on me, and I was amazed at how big the wings were! My roach experience is only a couple of months - so I'll be looking forward to many more Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

[genious_gr]

Can someone post a pic of a giganteus and a discoid side by side so that I can compare their sizes?

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

There is a decent comparison pic on the Allpet Roaches site:
http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/Roaches

 

[James M.]

I know it does not say anaything about the name False death heads I was just saying thay talked about the discoidalis being sold as craniifer. I'm sorry for that bit of confusion. And also I recognize your sarcasm and was not shuer if that was your point. I definantly am no expert and am not trying to imply that I am or anything. I am shure I still have some lerning to do to totaly understand the discoids I have and would realy like to know if their some good book or sumthing I could get that has good info. I was wondering if anyone has read Roaches Of The World?

 

[genious_gr]

Well, any updates??
A question. If you get a dozen of giganteus and a dozen of discoids (separately) and you let the colonies build up for a while which one will have more food in...lets say, two months.

I'm asking cause even though discoids breed faster, they're hald the size of a giganteus that means I'll only need one gig. instead of two discoids. (Hope this all made sense)

 

[abstract]

Updates: All seem to be living harmoniously together during their active times. I've noticed that during daylight hours, the giganteus seem to hang out in packs - 2 or 3 seperate groups while the discoids are scattered about.

I have also noticed that both species interact together during active times - which rases the question to me about crossbreeding; is this a potential side effect of having both species together? By definition, can't members of the same genus be bred together?

Also, speculation on your question - I would think the discoids would provide more food, just because they reproduce quicker. While the giganteus' would theoretically be bigger, I bet their growth rate is on par with that of the discoids; they just don't have as many babies as quickly. Is this totally off Wade?

 

[Wade]

As far as crossbreeding goes, they don't seem to cross. I had mine together quite awhile (several generations), and when I started to split them up again, it was still pretty clear which was which. I'm not saying it's not possible, but I don't think it happened with mine.

I would agree that a colony of discoids produce more "ounces" of food than a colony of giganteus, despite the size difference. Also, keep in mind that while B. giganteus is quite a bit bigger than the discoids, it isn't as big as it appears. The long wings extend well beyond the end of the abdomen, giving the impression of a roach much bigger than it actually is.

B. giganteus is a really cool cockroach, and the only reason I keep it is because it is an interesting animal in its' own right. As feeders however, discoids rule.

Wade

 

[James M.]

Dustin,
I was just thinking about how it sounds like you are not haveing much luck on the discoids reproducing. You have had yours much longer than I, and my colony is boming with nymphs now. Do you have any nymphs yeat or not? I am just trying to figure out why your discoids are not. If thay are I am sorry for thinking otherwise. I am glad to hear you are enjoying your new little project.

 

[abstract]

James - I've got quite a few nymphs as of now, but I haven't *really* been feeding them off (though I couldn't resist in times of no other food)... When I first got the roaches, it took like two months before I noticed any; but they were on peat moss, and I think all the nymphs stayed buried.

Now they are in a substrate-less environment, with lots of corkbark and food/water dishes. I've got a lot of varied nymph sizes in there, but none from the giganteus - yet. They were immature when I've recieved them, and I believe only one of them has actually matured to date. The discoids are poppin' em out though; the nymphs just take a while to get big.

 

[genious_gr]

Updates!! we need more updates!!

 

[genious_gr]

Updates!! we need more updates!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[abstract]

Sorry for the delays

As of now, the colony appears to be fairly steady. I have several large giganteus that stay visible, as well as the regular discoids running around happily. I have noticed that the "older" looking adult roaches have had their wings gnawed on, but other than the ratty look - seem to be getting along fine.

I have witnessed one ultimate molt of a giganteus where it got stuck in it's molt; and ended up feeding the crippled roach to one of my spiders. I also have found a couple instances of what looks like dead roaches that have been eaten by it's roommates - but have no idea if it was a natural death or something else caused it. I originally thought the dead roaches were molts, but upon further inspection found them just to be corpses with the abdomens(?) mostly eaten.

There still seems to be plenty of nymphs in there, and definitely plenty for my feeding purposes. I've noticed many of my spiders have been real picky when it comes to roaches - some not eating them for over 24 hours, some not at all. Only the real hungry dudes will pounce on them right away....so the colony is always full of some of the right size nymphs for my needs.

I have noticed that the colony has begun to smell "a bit" even without substrate - but not unreasonably. I would assume roach waste etc. contribute to this.

 

[Botar]

I've noticed the wing gnawing some too and I've also noticed it doesn't happen as much if you use a food with a higher protein content. As for the dead and eaten, it is my belief that when the older roaches die off they are fed upon by their cage mates. Although I don't find a problem with that, I believe it could also be curtailed by the use of a food with a higher protein content. However, if you stop them from feeding on the dead, your colony will definitely begin to smell more. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Botar