What is "blaberus"

Blaberus \Blaberus\ n. a genus of insects consisting of giant cockroaches.

Syn: genus Blaberus.

Blaberus is a genus of cockroaches generally found in South America. About 10 species are in the Blaberus genus, and they are popular among hobbyists as feed for other arthropods (Blaberus discoidalis in particular serves this function) or as pets. 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.

B. giganteus is one of the world's longest roaches. B. craniifer's popular name, "death's head roach" is often attributed to B. discoidalis, as well.

This genus contains these species:

• Blaberus affinis Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus anisitsi Brancsik 1898
• Blaberus asellus (Thunberg 1826)
• Blaberus atropos (Stoll 1813)
• Blaberus boliviensis Princis 1946
• Blaberus brasilianus Saussure 1864
• Blaberus colosseus (Illiger 1801)
• Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838
• Blaberus discoidalis Serville, 1839
• Blaberus duckei Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus fusiformis Walker, F., 1868
• Blaberus giganteus (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Blaberus latissimus (Herbst 1786)
• Blaberus matogrossensis Rocha e Silva & Aguiar 1977
• Blaberus minor Saussure 1864
• Blaberus parabolicus Walker, F., 1868
• Blaberus paulistanus Lopes & de Oliveira 2000
• Blaberus peruvianus Jurberg, Albuquerque, Rebordoes, Goncalves & Felip
• Blaberus scutatus Saussure & Zehntner 1894