Defining Characteristics:

• Can be kept as pets or used as feeders
• Vibrant green color boosts feeding response
• Softer bodies are easier for animals to digest
• Easy to care for

Name: Panchlora nivea, the Cuban Banana Roach

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: A 10 gallon aquarium with a barrier to eliminate escapees, or enclosure of an equivalent size like a gasketed Sterilite bin will work well for these roaches. 

Coco fiber with a mix of leaves and other botanicals is the most ideal substrate.

Temperature (°F): 70-90°, with 85-90° being optimal for maximum breeding production. A reliable thermometer is recommended to monitor temperatures.

Humidity: 75%-80% with a vertical gradient 

Size: Newborn nymphs are micro-sized and extremely hard to measure without harming them. They start out at the size of a dwarf white isopod (~1/16 of an inch), and grow up to 1 inch. Males are a bit smaller, topping out at around 3/4 of an inch.

Age: From nymph to death, they live about 20 - 24 months.

Feeding: Banana roaches love to eat fruit but they still need protein. We feed fresh fruit weekly alongside Josh's Frogs Roach Rations to ensure they have a balanced diet!  

Sexing: These roaches are easiest to sex when they emerge as green adults. One tell is that females are slightly larger than males. A more thorough check is done by flipping the roach on its back and looking at the lower abdomen—females will have 1 large segment, while males will have multiple segments.

Color/Pattern: Older roaches are pale-to-yellowish green in color, with a yellow line running up the sides. Nymphs are brown or black.

Social Behavior: Adults can fly and climb, making them ideal for chameleons and tree frogs. Nymphs will burrow into their substrate, but can be seen and will become active right after misting.

Banana roaches prefer to be in a group. The adults do not have a long life span, but they grow quickly and constantly have new generations emerging.

They are nocturnal, so they’ll rarely come out to eat in the light and quickly run when they are seen. The adults are more likely to be seen out during the day. This is why many chameleon breeders swear by them. The adults are searching for a mating partner by jumping and flying around a planted enclosure—a perfect enriching feeder for a chameleon! 

Banana roaches will easily climb smooth surfaces, so a roach barrier is a MUST HAVE!

Breeding: Green banana roaches are not hard to breed at all. They appreciate warmth and humidity, and breeding will happen all year as long as the roaches are at temps above 70°F. We have them set up in Milli Mix substrate with cork bark and egg flats to hide under. They don’t need much vertical space, but will definitely appreciate it!

The females can have up to 30 live nymphs at one time. Technically a female will have the egg case inside her until the babies hatch and come out. If you see fresh babies, never disturb them as this is a very critical time in the life of a cockroach! 

If you’re looking to discourage breeding, the best attempt is keeping these roaches at lower temps, but even this isn't a guarantee. They will tolerate down into the high 60s, but we can’t guarantee the viability of the next generation that is born.

Natural Range: Panchlora nivea thrives in the subtropical and tropical climates of Cuba, the Caribbean, and the southern United States, particularly along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. It has also been spotted as far north as Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Its introduction to the U.S. occurred via Caribbean fruit shipments.

History in the Hobby: Panchlora nivea was discovered in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus; he wrote about them in Systema Naturae. They are super popular due to their small size and fast breeding. 

They are one of the best microfeeders, but they are also great bioactive companions. Many chameleon breeders will say banana roaches are the best for them!  

There are yellow banana roach lines but it is still argued whether or not they’re a different species. We have a pure line of green banana roaches,so we never have any other colors pop out. This is important as hybrids have wiped out a lot of genetics in the roach hobby.

Links of Interest: 

• Cuban cockroach, Panchlora nivea (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
• A Dichotomous Key for the Identification of the Cockroach fauna (Insecta: Blattaria) of Florida
• Orin McMonigle and Mark Kapler, For the Love of Cockroaches: Husbandry, Biology, and History of Pet and Feeder Blattodea, Independently published, 2017.