
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Archimandrita tesselata
A large cockroach from Central America and Colombia, its pale wings finely peppered with dark speckles. It cannot climb glass and is calm, making it one of the best roaches for handling.
Archimandrita tesselata is a large cockroach ranging from Central America to Colombia; Distribution records centre on Costa Rica and extend to Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Colombia. In captivity both sexes reach about 72 mm. The fine dark speckling scattered over the pale tegmina, as if peppered, gives the species its English name. It cannot climb glass and is calm in the hand, making it one of the best cockroaches for handling. Keep it in a roomy enclosure with plenty of vertical surfaces for moulting and a moist substrate; a steady supply of dead, dried hardwood leaves is regarded as vital to its health. It is ovoviviparous, and a mature female produces a litter averaging about thirty nymphs two to three times a year. Females live for several years, while males often last about one year.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Peppered Cockroach lives Females several years, males often about one year.
The Peppered Cockroach grows to About 7.2cm.
The ideal temperature for the Peppered Cockroach is 21〜29℃.
Origin
Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Belize) to Colombia
Lifespan
Females several years, males often about one year
Sources: Roach Crossing: Giant Peppered Roach / Wikipedia: Blaberidae / GBIF
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Archimandrita tesselata Rehn, 1903
Synonyms: Archimandrita tessellata Rehn, 1903
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
About 7.2cm
Temperature
21〜29℃
Vegetables, fruit, grains, prepared insect food, dried hardwood leaves
Tolerates a wide 21-29 C. Keep the substrate moist and ventilate so the enclosure does not go stale.
Use a roomy enclosure with bark or egg crates stood up to give plenty of vertical moulting surfaces, with moist substrate and a thick layer of dried hardwood leaves.
Combine vegetables and fruit with grains or prepared insect food. A constant supply of dried hardwood leaves is regarded as vital to their health.
No venom and no biting. It is calm and regarded as one of the best cockroaches for handling.
Males often live only about a year, so keep females for breeding. A mature female produces a litter averaging about thirty nymphs two to three times a year.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Peppered Cockroach is 21〜29℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Peppered Cockroach is Females several years, males often about one year. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Peppered Cockroach typically reaches About 7.2cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Peppered Cockroach feeds on: Vegetables, fruit, grains, prepared insect food, dried hardwood leaves. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Peppered Cockroach varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026