Dubia Roaches, Adults, 1 ¼ + inch (Blaptica dubia)

Adult Dubia Roaches for Sale

Adult Dubia Roaches are fully mature Blaptica dubia at 1 1/4 inch and larger, and this is the only size we sell by sex. You can order specific counts of males or females, even down to a single bug. That makes this the page for colony builders who need a particular ratio, not just feeder buyers. For feeding most pets, the nymph sizes in the Live Dubia Roaches range are usually the better fit.

Overview

At full maturity, the two sexes look clearly different. Males carry full wings that cover the abdomen, while females are larger, broader, and appear nearly wingless. Females are the reproductive engine of a colony and carry developing young internally, since the species gives birth to live nymphs rather than laying egg cases. Males fertilize but do not produce offspring, so the sex you buy depends entirely on your goal.

Because this size is sold by sex and in small quantities, it serves a different purpose than the bulk feeder sizes. Most orders go toward colony work, replacement breeders, or feeding large reptiles that need a full-size meal.

Published Nutritional Content (TC INSECTS Reference Values)

• Protein: 22.9%
• Fat: 7.1%
• Fiber: 2.8%
• Calcium: 275 mg
• Phosphorus: 2,510 mg

These values reflect Dubia before dusting or gut-loading. If you do feed adults to a large reptile, the phosphorus-heavy ratio still means calcium dusting and gut-loading matter.

Why Buy Adult Dubia Roaches?

• Sold by sex. You can buy exactly the males or females you need, which no other size in our range allows.
• Single-bug ordering. Quantities start at one, so you can replace a lost breeder or test stock without committing to bulk.
• Colony-ready maturity. These are reproductively mature, so a properly sexed group can begin producing without a months-long grow-out.
• Full-size feeders for big animals. Genuinely large reptiles get a complete meal from a small number of adults.
• Clear sexing. At full maturity the sexes are easy to tell apart, which matters when you are balancing a colony.

Honest Note on Male vs Female Selection

The sex you order should match your goal. For a breeding colony, you want more females than males, since females are the ones that produce nymphs. A common hobby approach runs several females per male. Buying mostly males will give you a colony that barely grows, no matter how many bugs you add. If you only need feeders for a large reptile, sex does not matter much, though females carry more weight per bug.

Honest Note on Adults as Feeders

At 1 1/4 inch and up, adult Dubia are too large for most common pets. They exceed the space-between-the-eyes guideline for standard bearded dragons, chameleons, and similar animals. Reserve adults as feeders for genuinely large reptiles such as big monitors and tegus. For everyday feeding of a standard adult dragon, the Medium 3/4 inch size is the safer staple, with Large for bigger animals.

Care and Setup

Holding adults is simple. Keeping them as a productive breeding group takes a bit more attention to heat and feeding.

Temperature

Adults hold fine at room temperature. For active breeding, a warmer colony (around 85 to 90°F) encourages faster reproduction. Cooler temperatures slow output without harming the adults.

Humidity

Moderate humidity works. A water gel cube or dish of water crystals keeps adults hydrated, which matters more for reproducing females. Avoid standing water.

Substrate

None needed. Stacked vertical egg flats in a smooth-walled bin give adults the surface area and harborage a colony needs.

Food

Feed a quality dry diet such as Dubia Superfood or Supreme Feed Dubia, plus fresh produce for moisture and variety. A well-fed colony reproduces more reliably than a hungry one.

Ventilation

Use a vented or mesh lid. Adult colonies generate frass and humidity quickly, so steady airflow keeps the bin healthy.

Calcium Dusting

If you feed adults to a reptile, dust them with a fine calcium powder like TC Calcium Ultra Fine first. Calcium dusting and proper UVB both remain necessary regardless of feeder size.

Breeding Notes

Adults are the only Dubia size sold ready to reproduce, which is why this SKU is the natural starting point for a hand-built colony. Females carry and give birth to live nymphs rather than laying egg cases, and a warm, well-fed colony produces broods on a recurring cycle.

Colony Ratio

Most keepers weight a colony heavily toward females, commonly several females for each male. Too many males adds competition without adding output. If you would rather not sex and count bugs yourself, the prebuilt 100 Count Dubia Colony Starter and 50 Count Dubia Colony Starter arrive with the ratio already balanced.

Establishment

Give a new colony time before expecting steady output. Warmth, consistent feeding, and stable harborage matter more than colony size in the early weeks.

Best For

• Starting a breeding colony with a chosen male-to-female ratio
• Rebalancing or replacing breeding females in an existing colony
• Feeding genuinely large reptiles such as big monitors and tegus
• Single-bug or small-count orders for testing or replacement
• Display, education, or photography specimens at full adult size

Not Best For

• Feeding standard adult bearded dragons, which do better on Medium or Large
• Juveniles, hatchlings, and small insectivores, where adults badly overshoot prey size
• Customers in Florida, Louisiana, or Hawaii, where Dubia cannot legally be shipped
• Buyers who want bulk feeders cheaply, since nymph sizes cost less per bug
• Anyone expecting colony growth from a male-heavy purchase

Origin and Locality Notes

Dubia roaches are native to Central and South America and are commonly associated with Argentina, Brazil, and surrounding regions in the published literature. They are tropical and do not establish in cooler, drier climates, which underpins the USDA permit-controlled interstate shipment within the continental United States. Our adults come from an established captive-bred feeder and breeding line.

Receiving and Acclimation

Orders ship with ventilation and a hydration source sized for transit. On arrival, open the package in a clean, contained area. Move the adults into a smooth-walled bin with stacked egg flats, dry feed, and water crystals. Let them settle at room temperature for several hours before feeding any out or merging them into a colony. In cold weather, warm them gradually to room temperature rather than placing them near a heat source.

TC INSECTS holds USDA permits to ship Dubia roaches within the continental United States, excluding Florida, Louisiana, and Hawaii. Customers in Florida and Louisiana can legally receive Discoid roaches as an alternative. A copy of the permit is available by email to the proper authorities on request. Do not release any feeder insect into the wild.

Recommended Add-Ons

• 100 Count Dubia Colony Starter for a prebalanced colony if you would rather not sex bugs yourself.
• 50 Count Dubia Colony Starter for a smaller prebalanced starting colony.
• Dubia Superfood 1lb for a nutrient-focused diet that supports steady reproduction.
• Supreme Feed Dubia 5lb for bulk feed when maintaining a growing colony.
• Medium Dubia Roaches for an appropriately sized feeder if adults are too large for your animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy males or females?

It depends on your goal. For a breeding colony, buy mostly females, since females produce the nymphs. For feeding a large reptile, sex barely matters, though females weigh more per bug. Buying mostly males will not grow a colony.

What male-to-female ratio should I use for breeding?

Most keepers run several females per male. Extra males add competition without adding output. If you would rather skip the math, the 100 Count Colony Starter ships with a balanced ratio already set.

Do adult male Dubia fly?

Males have full wings but are weak, reluctant fliers. They may flutter or glide briefly if startled, but they do not fly around a room like a pest roach. Females cannot fly at all.

Are adult Dubia too big to feed my bearded dragon?

For a standard adult dragon, usually yes. At 1 1/4 inches and up, they exceed the space between most dragons’ eyes. Use Medium or Large for everyday feeding and reserve adults for very large reptiles.

Can I really order just one or a few?

Yes. This size sells in quantities starting at one, which is handy for replacing a lost breeding female or adding a specific number of one sex to an existing colony.

How are adults different from Jumbo Retired Breeders?

Adults here are mature breeding-age bugs you can buy by sex in small or large counts. The Jumbo Retired Breeders are the largest mature females retired from production, sold as oversized stock rather than as a by-sex colony-building option.

Learn More About Dubia Roaches and Colony Care

These references give keepers background on Dubia reproduction and reptile nutrition, both relevant whether you are breeding adults or feeding them off.

• Auburn University: Biology of Blaptica dubia (Hao Wu thesis). A peer-reviewed academic study of Dubia reproduction, live birth, and parental care. The most relevant background for anyone building a colony from adults.
• University of Florida Featured Creatures. A university entomology resource covering cockroach biology and identification. Helpful background for keepers who want to understand the species behind their colony.