Parcoblatta molt
- Thread starter Vulgaris
- Start date
Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
Yeah I was planning on pinning the males when they died and spreading the wings so that we could determine Sp. But unless I find one that is not going to happen either
Their cage is on the counter in my living room, which is right next to a large heater. They could have gone anywhere in the house if they wanted to
I am telling my parents they are "orange beetles" since that is what my mom called them. sounds much better than roach
Their cage is on the counter in my living room, which is right next to a large heater. They could have gone anywhere in the house if they wanted to
I am telling my parents they are "orange beetles" since that is what my mom called them. sounds much better than roach
Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
What kind of lights are they attracted to? and what kind of bait do you suggest (apple?)? I might just have to stay up all night and turn all the lights out accept for one in the hopes that they will make an appearance
Parents said they will not kill them if they see them.
Parents said they will not kill them if they see them.
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BugmanPrice
Twelfth Instar
If you're going for the light, I'd just use a normal white light (soft is probably best); they can’t see the red end of the spectrum well and can probably pick up UV but they’re pretty expensive bulbs. You may also want to try a molasses/beer mix (Really Dad, it’s for my beetles! 
) for your bait, that could work to attract them but if there’s too much they may get stuck (could work to your advantage if done right) or drown. I assume this is a live recovery operation…?
Congrats though, welcome to the coalition of kids who told their parents that they got a new pet beetle… Seven years ago I got my first colony of African hissing beetles!
) for your bait, that could work to attract them but if there’s too much they may get stuck (could work to your advantage if done right) or drown. I assume this is a live recovery operation…?Congrats though, welcome to the coalition of kids who told their parents that they got a new pet beetle… Seven years ago I got my first colony of African hissing beetles!
Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
Extremely disappointing is how last night went 
No sign of either of them. I left the lantern on (which is a soft white light like you said) and placed apple slices in various parts of the bathroom and kitchen. I stayed up until 3 in the morning with all the lights off in the house accept for the lantern. No sign of them at all. Parents did not see them either when they got up at 4 to get ready for work (lol)
Every day that goes by is less and less of a chance I will find one of them. I hear they don't survive long in houses
Haha thanks for the advice, I think we do have some beer mix (got dad a home brewing kit for chirstmas). But i don't think he wants me to open the can
Its a good thing parents bought the whole beetle thing because my mom would have probably refused to step foot in the house if she knew the truth
Are they attracted to or repelled by the scent of citrus? We have a load of orange peelings in the kitchen that are very pungent
No sign of either of them. I left the lantern on (which is a soft white light like you said) and placed apple slices in various parts of the bathroom and kitchen. I stayed up until 3 in the morning with all the lights off in the house accept for the lantern. No sign of them at all. Parents did not see them either when they got up at 4 to get ready for work (lol)Every day that goes by is less and less of a chance I will find one of them. I hear they don't survive long in houses
Haha thanks for the advice, I think we do have some beer mix (got dad a home brewing kit for chirstmas). But i don't think he wants me to open the can
Its a good thing parents bought the whole beetle thing because my mom would have probably refused to step foot in the house if she knew the truth
Are they attracted to or repelled by the scent of citrus? We have a load of orange peelings in the kitchen that are very pungent
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Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
How long do the females live? especially if they are not breeding? maybe in the next month I can turn up another male nymph in the firewood, but it would take a while to mature. Right Now i can't do anything to find another nymph because we are buried under almost 2 feet of snow
Does not look like I will ever see my two males again. It has been 3 nights since they escaped, and no sign of them at all. I stayed up each night to try to lure them out and I am dead now.
Here are photos of the light setup I tried in various places around the house.
/monthly_02_2010/post-615-1265819605_thumb.jpg
Does not look like I will ever see my two males again. It has been 3 nights since they escaped, and no sign of them at all. I stayed up each night to try to lure them out and I am dead now.
Here are photos of the light setup I tried in various places around the house.
/monthly_02_2010/post-615-1265819605_thumb.jpg
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Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
Maybe once they all reach adulthood I will try what I was going to with the males _ put them in cool darkness for a while and see if they go inactive until I can find a male nymph
Otherwise I will just start over and try again next winter, hopefully with a proper setup and knowledge so they don't escape
Otherwise I will just start over and try again next winter, hopefully with a proper setup and knowledge so they don't escape
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Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
Hey guys. Found a large one today under some bark. It is around 9 mm in length (much larger than the ones I have) and is a different coloration than the ones I have. I don't think it is the same Sp. but I will be keeping it anyway
I will get pics of the enclosure later. It is just a simple container with potting soil and bark
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I will get pics of the enclosure later. It is just a simple container with potting soil and bark
/monthly_02_2010/post-615-1266694402_thumb.jpg
/monthly_02_2010/post-615-1266694407_thumb.jpg
/monthly_02_2010/post-615-1266694412_thumb.jpg
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Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
How can you tell? Lol I have him in a small plastic container with moist wood and some fish flakes. He is just hanging out under the wood right now. I have not decided if I will keep him with my females.
Here is a link to some better (and larger) photos I posted on BG http://bugguide.net/node/view/372485
Check out the ventral. I think this is a male.
Here is a link to some better (and larger) photos I posted on BG http://bugguide.net/node/view/372485
Check out the ventral. I think this is a male.
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Vulgaris
Fifth Instar
One of my females molted into adulthood! The wing pads are now the small square wings you described. She looks like either virginica (which is most likely) or lata. Will try for a good photoshoot of her tomorrow. What are the features that identify female Parcoblatta? I know males you have to look under the wings for an arrangement of tiny hairs, but is there something else for females?
I really wish I had one of those males to breed her. I still can't get over how I screwed this up_ three males and three females. What are the chances of finding that perfect number?!
The wing pads are now the small square wings you described. She looks like either virginica (which is most likely) or lata. Will try for a good photoshoot of her tomorrow. What are the features that identify female Parcoblatta? I know males you have to look under the wings for an arrangement of tiny hairs, but is there something else for females?I really wish I had one of those males to breed her. I still can't get over how I screwed this up_ three males and three females. What are the chances of finding that perfect number?!
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