Safe species' pollen for feeding roaches?

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
I suspect there may not be much info on this. But in case there is outside of unknown mixed pollen like "bee pollen". Are there any known dangerous species of pollen that should not be used? We can easily harvest various crops pollen from our farms (organic) and wanted to give it a go. Dill and sumac are the ones I am considering specifically. But other heavy pollen bearing things come up seasonally as well such as mango.
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
11,428
Bee pollen is very rarely from toxic plants and rhododendron is the most common by far. Bee keepers avoid areas where rhodies grow. So the general rule is bee pollen is considered safe - non toxic. Also, it's very rare that bees will feed from toxic flowers in significant numbers that would harm the hive. The safe flowers are much more attractive to them.
 
Last edited:

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
Bee pollen is very rarely from toxic plants and rhododendron is the most common by far. Bee keepers avoid areas where rhodies grow. So the general rule is bee pollen is considered safe - non toxic. Also, it's very rare that bees will feed from toxic flowers in significant numbers that would harm the hive. The safe flowers are much more attractive to them.
Indeed. hiwever, bees roam freely over many square kilometers. So it would not be known what species they are feeding from as it will be a heinz 57 type situation. I suppose that sort speaks volumes to how safe pollen is. As bee pollen is surely a mixed source of species. Even from producers that move hives to mono crops throughout the year, their pollination habits are wildly variable.

I suppose I was more curious if I produced pure pollen based on plant species. It would be vastly different than the "bee pollen" mix as it would be a single source of pollen. It also wouldn't be filtered/selectedbby insects before hand, it would be raw and purely XYZ species. bees are after all wanting nectar, not pollen so much. So toxicity might not be relevant.

As I type this, I feel I am probably over thinking things haha. Likely will just try with individual roaches and see if they die or not. But it would be good to know anyone else's knowledge or experimentation.
 

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
1,413
a healthy diet is a diverse diet XD & the dose makes the poison, are both very true
 

444 critters

Arachnosquire
Joined
Feb 14, 2024
Messages
67
I have never even thought of using another type of pollen. This makes my brain start ticking. I have no means to harvest my own, but I'd I were you, I would grab a handful of roaches and make a small temp enclosure to feed.

I personally havnt used the pollen for my roaches in particular, but it really does help my beardies take interest in their greens 😂
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,060
I have never even thought of using another type of pollen. This makes my brain start ticking. I have no means to harvest my own, but I'd I were you, I would grab a handful of roaches and make a small temp enclosure to feed.

I personally havnt used the pollen for my roaches in particular, but it really does help my beardies take interest in their greens 😂
I’ve never used it ever for my roach colonies. Why exactly do reptiles need it? I’ve never kept a reptile.
 

444 critters

Arachnosquire
Joined
Feb 14, 2024
Messages
67
I’ve never used it ever for my roach colonies. Why exactly do reptiles need it? I’ve never kept a reptile.
Bee pollen is used for insects to gut load, as it's packed with vitamins, particularly, vitamins a, e, and c. For reptiles, it helps them grow healthier scales/skin, also just a natural sweetener to sprinkle on greens like kale for stubborn bearded dragons that don't want veggies only insects. Haha just a little trick to get them interested
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,060
Bee pollen is used for insects to gut load, as it's packed with vitamins, particularly, vitamins a, e, and c. For reptiles, it helps them grow healthier scales/skin, also just a natural sweetener to sprinkle on greens like kale for stubborn bearded dragons that don't want veggies only insects. Haha just a little trick to get them interested
I really only heard of it about 2020 Even if it is a good food source for roaches I can’t afford it right now. I don’t know if it it has proven benefits for tarantulas But healthy feeders are always better.
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
11,428
Bee pollen is used for insects to gut load, as it's packed with vitamins, particularly, vitamins a, e, and c.
That is something often overlooked in kept animals with convenient feeders instead of the broad spectrum nutrition animals get in the wild. Vitamin and or mineral deficiencies can be blamed for a significant number of unexplained untimely deaths. The deficiencies often cause latent debilities that can add up and without extensive lab tests are impossible to diagnose.
 

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
On top, some species naturally feed on pollen as a large part of their diet. It is thought certain isopods in the tops of tree ferns. I am told by some keepers of various roaches that are flower feeders it is the same. I don't think so for our usual feeder species, but I am still quite interested :)

Our dill crops will flower in April. Sumac in September ish, I will experiment with some dubia and red runners then :) if it seems alright will try on a few other roach sp. and some isopods.
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,060
On top, some species naturally feed on pollen as a large part of their diet. It is thought certain isopods in the tops of tree ferns. I am told by some keepers of various roaches that are flower feeders it is the same. I don't think so for our usual feeder species, but I am still quite interested :)

Our dill crops will flower in April. Sumac in September ish, I will experiment with some dubia and red runners then :) if it seems alright will try on a few other roach sp. and some isopods.
Do fruit or veggies have similar nutritional value as this pollen stuff ? Never in any roach care sheets or many videos have I ever seen the usage of pollen.
Maybe make a thread and tell us how it goes. It could be a while maybe years till I have the budget to try it.
 

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
Do fruit or veggies have similar nutritional value as this pollen stuff ? Never in any roach care sheets or many videos have I ever seen the usage of pollen.
Maybe make a thread and tell us how it goes. It could be a while maybe years till I have the budget to try it.
This is the thread made for this discussion :)

Every species has different nutritional values. Every part of Every plant has different nutritional values. It is known pollen is a nutritional substance. It is also known many animals, especially insects, consume It.

You can buy specialty pollen as human food as well, quite expensive usually. You can also buy bee pollen which is collected at the hive doors. Bee pollen is much cheaper. The issue with bee pollen is you don't know the source. Not the species nor the range in which it was collected.

Wild collecting pollen is free. And you know the location and species being collected.

As per caresheets. Note what I already wrote above and also note the types of species of roaches that generally have caresheets. Which tend to be quite terrible in the first place. Journal articles generally are more useful than pet store type info :) there are loads of quality field research and lab rearing studies out there.

My main concern, and original question, was if there are any known plant species that have pollen that is toxic in any way.

Edit. Here are some examples

Cockroach

Ancient times


Bees


Beetles


I have often wondered if the lack of captive breeding of various ladybugs is because of diet problems, or timing. Such as pollen. I see ladybugs feeding on dill pollen here quite often. Will get some pics when in season.
 
Last edited:

444 critters

Arachnosquire
Joined
Feb 14, 2024
Messages
67
Do fruit or veggies have similar nutritional value as this pollen stuff ? Never in any roach care sheets or many videos have I ever seen the usage of pollen.
Maybe make a thread and tell us how it goes. It could be a while maybe years till I have the budget to try it.
It is mainly seen when looking into making your own roach chow. That is where most people will add it in to their roach diet
 

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
Here is a fun one where the plant is toxic to most pollinators, and people. The adult bees don't eat the pollen, but Barry a ball for their babies to eat. Pretty interesting.

Obviously I am not so worried about this species ( Anticlea elegans), but it's very interesting to see how some pollens are indeed poisonous.



@444 critters mentions, our personal goal is our own food formulation from our farms waste/unused products. But it is still very interesting for anyone interested in animal nutrition :)
 

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
1,413
yea, when you think in big quantities, the smaller percentage ingredients are not all that expensive, not like you would want to use it as a main diet

i heard Pseudoglomeris magnifica need some pollen in their diet to grow and reproduce well
i'd trust that bees whose pollen is collected and sold for human consumption haven't poisoned their own larvae and wiped themselves out first XD
 

Kada

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter
Joined
May 17, 2023
Messages
533
yea, when you think in big quantities, the smaller percentage ingredients are not all that expensive, not like you would want to use it as a main diet

i heard Pseudoglomeris magnifica need some pollen in their diet to grow and reproduce well
i'd trust that bees whose pollen is collected and sold for human consumption haven't poisoned their own larvae and wiped themselves out first XD
Breeders here say that as well about that group of roaches. but say it also depends in their location. Many people have had success without pollen, but could be different than sp or locals.


That's I consider the bees a filter in terms of bee pollen. But like dogs and chocolate, different species react differently.
 
Top