Skip to main content
Emerald Cockroach© Fungus Guy / CC BY-SA 4.0

Emerald Cockroach

The Emerald Cockroach is a striking, tree-dwelling insect prized for its metallic green sheen. Unlike most roaches, it is active during the day and climbs not just bark but smooth surfaces like glass with ease. Females are wingless and display a distinctive form of maternal care, tucking their nymphs beneath their bodies for protection, while males are winged and somewhat smaller. Its combination of vivid color and intriguing behavior makes it a favorite for keepers who enjoy observing natural insect behavior up close. Because of the attention it requires, this species suits keepers with some prior care experience best.

View Emerald Cockroach encyclopedia →
Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only
Register Now for Free

5 Transparency Standards You Can Trust

When listing Exotic Invertebrates, Breeders disclose the following. We guarantee transparency on growth stage and breeding unit.

  • Real Photos
  • Breeding Unit
  • Generation Info
  • Body Length (mm)
  • Country of Origin
Browse all 249 breeds
0 items

Verified breeders wanted for Exotic Invertebrates

Breeders are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Verified breeders (preview)

Are you raising exotic invertebrates?

Register as a breeder and connect with buyers directly.

Apply as a breeder

About Emerald Cockroach

The Emerald Cockroach is a metallic green, tree-dwelling insect that is unusually active by day, climbs smooth surfaces, and shows distinctive maternal care. It is best suited to intermediate keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Emerald Cockroach

  1. 1Active by Day

    Unlike most roaches, this species is active during daylight hours. That makes it easy to observe its natural behavior without waiting for nightfall.

  2. 2Climbs Smooth Surfaces

    This species can climb not only bark but also smooth materials like glass or plastic enclosure walls. Choose a securely lidded enclosure to prevent escapes.

  3. 3Males and Females Look Different

    Females are wingless and grow to roughly 40mm as adults, while winged males reach about 30mm. This makes it relatively easy to tell the sexes apart by sight.

  4. 4Distinctive Maternal Care

    Females tuck their newly hatched nymphs beneath their bodies for protection, an unusual form of parental care for a cockroach. Watching this behavior is one of the species' biggest draws.

  5. 5Best for Intermediate Keepers

    This species is generally considered suitable for keepers with some prior experience, given the attention needed for temperature, humidity, and escape prevention. First-time keepers should research care requirements thoroughly before bringing one home.

  6. 6Set Up for Climbing

    As an arboreal species, it settles in better with climbing branches and bark or cork hides in its enclosure. Choosing substrate that balances ventilation and humidity retention also matters.

  7. 7Prepare Before Bringing One Home

    Before bringing one home, set up an escape-proof enclosure with climbing branches and have insect food or vegetable scraps ready. Getting the habitat ready in advance makes the transition smoother.

Frequently asked questions about Emerald Cockroach

Q.Is the Emerald Cockroach easy to keep?
A.It is generally considered suitable for keepers with some experience, since temperature, humidity, and escape prevention require attention. Having some background in exotic-insect care helps you get started with confidence.
Q.How can I tell males and females apart?
A.Females are wingless and grow to about 40mm, while males have wings and reach around 30mm. The presence of wings and the size difference make the sexes fairly easy to distinguish.
Q.Why is it active during the day?
A.This species is diurnal, which is unusual among cockroaches. As a result, you can observe its natural activity in daylight rather than waiting for nighttime.
Q.Will it escape from its enclosure?
A.Because it can climb smooth surfaces well, a securely lidded enclosure is important. Pay attention to gaps and ventilation hole sizes as well to prevent escapes.
Q.What does its maternal care actually look like?
A.The female tucks her newly hatched nymphs underneath her body to protect them. This is an unusual behavior for a cockroach, and it lets keepers observe the mother and nymphs staying close together.

Learn more about Emerald Cockroach in the encyclopedia

View Emerald Cockroach encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

More in this category

Can't find the one you're looking for?

Post your wishes for free and breeders with matching animals will contact you with introductions.