Discoid Colony Problem???

[jordy1380]

I have a colony of about 150-200 discoid roaches that haven't really been doing much. I don't ever see any small nymphs in there and it just seems to be juveniles and adults. I have the temp in the tote to be 85-90 or maybe a little higher and about 50% humidity, maybe a little less, but they don't seem to be doing anything. I find some egg sacks on the bottom every once in a while, but no small nymphs. I give them fruit or veggies a few times a week, making sure that they don't get moldy and mist every few days to keep the humidity up a little for molting. I can get some pics up if needed, but it is just a large tote with egg crates. I feed them ground up dog food and water crystals as a staple. What can I do to change and make it better.

 

[clear]

How long have you had them?

 

[jordy1380]

I've had them for about 2 months and haven't seen anything. I have seen some egg sacks laying around on the bottom but that is it.

 

[patrickb]

Judging by your setup description I would say everything is right there. The problem may be that you are disturbing them too much by peaking in on them and/or "playing" with them. Discoids are a "live bearing" species. All those egg cases you see are aborted oothecae because the female roaches were stressed most likely.

I would suggest leaving them be and let them do their thing, then they will start producing like mad. A feeding/watering regime of twice a week should be fine and offer very little disturbance.

 

[jordy1380]

I have also noticed a bit of wing biting on some of them. Is that the sign of lack of protein in the diet or something? What causes them to eat each other's wings. Another thing that I have noticed is that they don't seem to eat much in the container. Is there some mixture of foods that I can give them that will optimize their breeding? I may have been bugging them a little bit... no pun intended, but I will not check them again for a few days. I haven't opened the cage for a couple of days now.