What causes miscarriages in roaches?

[Jakob]

As mentioned in the title, I'm wondering what causes miscarriages in roaches. I figure things like stress, lack of food/water/nutrition, not enough hiding spots are factors, but what else? As far as I know I'm taking great care of my hissers and they've been doing well, but today I noticed one female giving birth to some very dead and deformed babies. Could it be it's just her getting old and worn out, or maybe it was just that particular batch that had a problem?

They have loads of dog food available all the time...plenty of water and get veggies and fruits every other day or so. They also have plenty of hiding places. My lobsters are doing just fine this way, and so should the hissers.

Maybe I'm thinking about it too much...

Anyway, any help or advice would be very appreciated...or just tell me to shut up and quit worrying about one roach :razz:

Later,

Jake

 

[Dark Raptor]

I had similar problem when humidity in my insectarium was too low.
I believe the "age theory" is also very probable.
But if it happen only once, you shouldn't worry.

 

[Schlyne]

I know that for dubias, if they don't get enough fruit in their diet, they will be abort the eggcases.

I don't know of anything like that for the hissers though.

 

[Cirith Ungol]

Is there any other problem for B. dubias? Like low humidity (what should I have for best breeding results anyway? I've only heard I'm supposed to keept hem dry.) Can they refuse to breed if disturbed once every day for example??

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

I noticed that my B. dubias drop their oothecae when the temperatures are to low (below 20 °C seems to be critical).
I keep them dry, and only feed fresh fruits/vegetables once a week,
they reproduce like crazy, moisture seems to be no problem!
But I don't keep hissers, perhaps they need more humid conditions!

greets
Bernhard

 

[james]

dubia

I keep mine the same as spaceman, just feed them a little more. I also mist mine once or twice a week.
James
www.blaberus.com

 

[Dark Raptor]

I keep mine almost in the same way as Spaceman and James. But I keep my hisser's "water tank" near heating source. Subtrate is dry (no mites and mould), but the air is humid enough.

I think hisser needs higher humidity than dubia. But this is only my observation, because they were breeding much better when they had moist substrate.