Warty Glowspot Roach

Lucihormetica verrucosa

RoachbeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

No venom, no sting

Pet and feeder roaches are harmless to humans — no venom, no sting, and no meaningful bite. Wash your hands after handling.

About

A handsome display roach named for the two pale 'glowspots' on its pronotum — despite the name these are pigment spots, not light organs (interestingly, a carrot-rich diet deepens them toward orange-red). Keep on barely-moist peat and rotted compost at 75-85°F with medium-high humidity; adults of both sexes climb but cannot fly, so use a secure lid. They dig semi-permanent burrows to shelter and raise young. Feeds on organic banana, orange, carrot, zucchini, and soaked high-protein dog food; moisture from produce/substrate. Harmless.

Taxonomy

FamilyBlaberidae

GenusLucihormetica

Native regionSouth America (Colombia, Venezuela)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile; climbs; flightless

Size & growth

Adult size~1.5-1.6 in (37-40 mm)

Length37.00–40.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature75–85 °F

Humidity60–80%

Enclosure

Adult sizeventilated bin/tank with a secure lid

Substratebarely-moist peat + rotted compost; bark hides; they form semi-permanent burrows

Substrate depth2-4 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modeOmnivore

Prey sizeomnivore — roach chow/dry dog food, fruit, veg, occasional protein

Adult cadencecontinuous (chow + fresh produce for moisture)

Times kept: 0