Welcome! Giant Burrowing Roach, Macropanesthia rhinoceros
On the 10th October 2022, just few days ago, I received one of my dream species. The giant burrowing roach, latin name, Macropanesthia rhinoceros!!
I had ordered a pair of nymphs from Europe but unfortunately, the male did not survive the trip and was dead on arrival.
Macropanesthia rhinoceros female nymph
She is a tiny little thing and me looking at her reminded me of Hagrid looking down at Harry Potter “I brought you here 16 years ago when you were no bigger than a Bowtruckle”…
Macropanesthia rhinoceros female nymph
Before I set her up on her new enclosure, I took the opportunity to grab some initial macro photos for posterity.
Macropanesthia rhinoceros female nymph
Stunning isn’t she?
Since I only have one, I feel she should have an identity. So I decided to name her Plump! Because of her little bootie :D
Macropanesthia rhinoceros female nymph
After the photos, I prepared a 8x8x8cm enclosure, with medium ventilation, 2.5cm of cocofiber mix with peat and a bunch of dried leaves. And I gave it a good spray.
Plump of course wasted no time and immediately went under the substrate and made herself a little cosy chamber.
Plump’s chamber
I also gave her an apple slice but she didn’t seem interested at all.
She is active but not roach active. Reminds me a bit of fossorial tarantulas. I guess I will only be able to see her out and about when she gets hungry, or during specials feedings.
It is good to have a less active roach in contrast to all the fast growing fast moving species that I am keeping!
Well, this is it for this post, I hope you follow me and plump on our adventures together!
She will be loved forever!
Roach love! Cheers and thank you for reading.