Dubia breeding (new bloodlines?)

[jakemyster44]

After I get my colont up and going, would it be a wise idea to introduce new blood into it? I know that beacuse they are such a low life form, they can inbreed for quite a while with n defects, and suspect that new blood is not neccisary, but Im curiouse... Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew]

At some point it could be beneficial, but for now I wouldn't put it high on your priority list.

 

[brothaT]

I don't think it's much to worry about either. Personally, I contact the guy I buy roaches from once a year and ask him to send me some discoid, dubia, and lateralis males. He gives them to me dirt cheap and I have a way of spreading new blood very quickly to my entire colony. It's worked great the last few years.

Edit: I've purchased dubias from some people that have been inbreeding them for years and there is quite a difference. The adults of both sexes are about half the size of normal and they are comparatively weak, so at some point new lines should be introduced.

 

[SFgeckos]

I agree

I also swap or trade males with locals/friends who also breed dubia roaches, although like brothaT said, it's not really a high priority. It's never a bad idea to add genetic diversity with any animal species. I also keep many different colonies, so every few months i'll swap males or some nymphs from colony to colony.
If you ever need any males, just drop me a message. I routinely cull hundreds of males every few months when I'm overloaded with them!

Jon

 

[Haligren]

What happens if you end up with TOO many roaches? Do you kill them, or do you guys just send them to other people on this site that need more?

I'm the only gecko enthusiast that I know of in my town and I'm probably the only one who would have a colony of roaches. (I'm strongly considering starting a colony as I am really beginning to despise crickets.)

Oh, uh, didn't mean to hijack the thread. >.<

 

[clear]

If you start having to many roaches just remove the males.

Yes you do need new blood randomly, you will start seeing smaller production numbers.