Blaberus is a genus of cockroaches native to the Neotropics found in the Americas. At least 31 valid species are in the genus, as well as at least 39 invalid species, and some of them are popular among hobbyists as pets or as feed for other arthropods (Blaberus discoidalis in particular serves this function). Unlike several genera of cockroaches considered to be pests, this genus keeps its ootheca in its abdomen until the time it hatches. They generally require a relative humidity of 60% or higher to thrive and temperatures above 25 °C (28-30 °C is best) to reproduce.
Blaberus giganteus is one of the world's longest cockroaches. B. craniifer'''s popular name, "death's head roach" is often attributed to B. discoidalis, as well.
Species This genus contains these species (now placed in 4 superspecies marked with a §):
Blaberus asellus Thunberg, 1826 Blaberus latissimus Herbst, 1786 Blaberus supersp. atropos Roth, 1786 § Blaberus amazonensis Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus anisitsi Brancsik, 1898 Blaberus atropos Stoll, 1813 Blaberus boliviensis Princis, 1946 Blaberus colombianus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus discoidalis Serville, 1839 Blaberus duckei Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977 Blaberus matogrossensis Rocha e Silva & Aguiar, 1977 Blaberus neomatogrossensis Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus parabolicus Walker, 1868 Blaberus paulistanus Lopes & Oliveira, 2000 Blaberus peruvianus Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977 Blaberus peruvibolicus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus yuracianus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus supersp. brasilianus Roth, 1969 § Blaberus affinis Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felippe, 1977 Blaberus brasilianus Sausseur, 1864 Blaberus chacoensis Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus colosseus Illiger, 1801 Blaberus fusiformis Walker, 1868 Blaberus minor Saussure, 1864 Blaberus neofusiformis Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus nigrocephalicus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus parafusiformis Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus scutatus Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 Blaberus valleyanus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus supersp. giganteus Roth, 1969 § Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838 Blaberus giganteus Linnaeus, 1758 Blaberus nigromaculatus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 Blaberus supersp. macurus Lopes & Oliveira, 2013 § Blaberus macurus'' Lopes & Oliveira, 2013
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