How to Identify a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is the common name for gromphadorhina portentosa. It is a large wingless cockroach and is probably the best cockroach for a starter collection. They are easy to care for and can be bred in large numbers quickly. The following steps will help you identify the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Modify the nymph's diet to control its color. The Madagascar hissing cockroach generally has a dark, shiny brown body with dark orange markings on its abdomen. The head, protothorax and legs are black. Once the nymph molts into an adult, its diet will not affect the color.

2. Use length to tentatively sex the adults. An adult female Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is 2 to 3 inches in length, with males being noticeably smaller. Both sexes have a pair of horns behind the head, but the male's horns are more prominent.

3. Observe the males using their horns to defend their territory against other males. Both sexes make a distinctive hissing noise when threatened. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is nocturnal and hides under floor covering during the day. It prefers fallen fruit but will eat almost any dry food.

4. Get these cockroaches at very low prices at reptile shows where they are used as prey items. They are native to Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa.

5. Look for them in the wild under the forest floor in large colonies. The dominant male will only allow females in his colony, but the females are allowed to go to other colonies.