How long before introducing new bloodlines into roach colony?

[Warren Bautista]

How long does it usually take before inbreeding rsults in weak and infertile roaches?

 

[reverendsterlin]

I split my 4 year old colony 2 years ago, and occasionally will swap some back and forth (like you wondering about inbreeding) and have never noticed a change in colony strength.
Rev

 

[brunoboy]

I don't think that's something you'll have to worry about. Hey, that's really awesome that your folks let you start your own colony!!!!!

Have fun!

 

[Warren Bautista]

yup. my dad ordered me roaches yesterdayday so they will probably be here today or tomorrow

 

[Matt K]

I have had roach colonies go 10 years without any new "bloodline" introduced with no negative effects. Roaches do not have issues from inbreeding.

 

[Senses-Tingling]

Yes - if ever there was a "kissing cousin" in the animal world, it would be the Insects. They don't care who each other's parents are. Maybe that's were the deep-woods rednecks got the idea ?!?!

 

[radicaldementia]

Inbreeding doesn't have the same effect on arthropods that it does on most higher animals. If you continually breed siblings for several generations you might have problems, but once your colony is over like 50, you have enough genetic variation for it not to matter.