Question about worms found in roach colony

[Sublime]

Wow, there nasty man. I wouldn't even want to deal with that, haha. Secreting fluid and using Vaseline, no thanks.

[JeffreH]

@Mark Oh yea, superworms (Zophabas) are voracious, definitely not like mealworms. I wouldn't trust those guys in with my roaches either... used to feed excess silkworms to them and they'd rape the little guys. Now I canthey'd rape the little guys. Now I can see why you had concern, note small silkworm in corner:


I forgot to mention though, probably wouldn't trust those mealworms or adult beetles with anything ooth laying species... and beetles *may* nibble on freshly molted, but probably not as likely as actual cannibalism.

The Dermestids, if they are legitimately carrion beetles will only feed on death. They have 0 interest in living flesh, be it invertebrates or vertebrates. I'm honestly not sure if they drink on any moisture in fruit or water crystals, I only have a few of the little buggers in a couple of colonies that wound up there by accident. I've heard of good success keeping isopods with roaches but I'm also positive they would feed on moisture and some goodies that belong to the roaches, and springtails would really only be useful if you have an unusually moist environment with substrate (like one might have for some tropical roach species).

The meat : shell on lobsters is roughly the same as lats, maybe slightly better than B. dubia. They seem to have a "thinner" exoskeleton, like cricket skin; but all adults have wings which is sort of unnessary in any kind of nutritional benefit. Also, fun fact: a number of roaches can make sounds when disturbed and can secrete defensive odors - I hate to say that I forget what its specifically called when they can make sounds... there is actually a species of roach ('Gold Medal Roach') that will readily fling poo you when ditrubed, squeal, and emit terrible defensive odor, climb glass, flutter fall, AND will protect their young! Talk about cool!! *snorts and chuckles*