08/10/2026
Have your say on the import of Dubias
National EPA seeking comments now - have your say!
If you agree that Dubia Cockroach (Blaptica dubia) is a valuable feeder, please consider emailing the EPA to say so.
We offer a template below if you would like to use that.
The opportunity to comment closes 16 October 2026, 11:59pm AEST
Closes 16 October 2026View in browserFounded in 1949National EPA seeking comments now - have your say!
If you agree that Dubia Cockroach (Blaptica dubia) is a valuable feeder, please consider emailing the EPA to say so.
We offer a template below if you would like to use that.
The opportunity to comment closes 16 October 2026, 11:59pm AEST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Submission in Support of the Import of Blaptica dubia for Commercial Pet Purposes - [INSERT NAME]
To The Director
Live Import List Section
National Environmental Protection Agency
My name is [INSERT NAME], a member of The Australian Herpetological Society (AHS). I
[1 currently keep reptiles and/or amphibians]
[2 have kept reptiles and/or amphibians]
[3 intend to keep reptiles and/or amphibians]
[4 do not keep reptiles and/or amphibians, however am invested in the care of reptiles and/or amphibians]
and would like to submit that the importation and keeping of Dubia Cockroach (Blaptica dubia), commonly known as Dubias, is beneficial for the keepers of herpetofauna for the reasons below.
NUTRITION
Dubias are one of the most nutritionally packed & balanced feeder insects available. Providing reptiles in human care with a balanced and nutritious diet is paramount to achieving the best state of welfare possible.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), is a common and serious health problem in pet reptiles. This disease causes the bones to become soft and brittle. This occurs when a reptile is unable to absorb enough calcium into their bones. This can be due to several factors including inadequate calcium in the diet and an inappropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (too little calcium with too much phosphorus). Most reptile diets are naturally very low in calcium but very high in phosphorus, resulting in an imbalance of calcium & phosphorus in their blood.
The ideal Calcium to Phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) for feeder insects is 2:1. The vast majority of commonly available feeder insects in Australia possess very low levels of calcium compared to phosphorus.
FOOD TYPE
Ca:P Ratio
Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)
1:17
Superworms (Zophobas atratus)
1:13
Silkworms (Bombyx mori)
1:13
Crickets (Orthopterae)
1:7
Wood Roaches (Nauphoeta cinerea)
1:3.5
Dubia Roaches (Blaptica dubia)
1:2
As shown in the table above, Dubias naturally possess the best calcium-to-phosphorus ratio available. With the addition of gut-loading and dusting with calcium powder, it becomes relatively simple for any keeper to feed their reptile a healthy meal.
FEEDER SIZE
The vast majority of feeder insects available in Australia are relatively small, making them unsuitable to feed to certain species. Dubias are a relatively large feeder insect, measuring 38mm - 50mm as fully grown adults. This makes them ideal to feed to larger and more picky species of reptiles & amphibians, including:
Turtles (eg. Members of Elseya, Emydura, Chelodina)
Large Skinks (eg. Members of Egernia, Tiliqua)
Monitor lizards (eg. Larger species including Sand Monitors, Lace Monitor, Rosenberg’s Monitor, Perentie, Mertern’s Water Monitor, Mangrove Monitor, Yellow-Spotted Monitor, Spencer’s Monitor)
Dragons (eg. Species including Bearded Dragons, Frilled lizards, Boyd’s Forest Dragons, Water Dragons, Southern Forest Dragons)
Frogs (eg. Larger species such as Green Tree Frog, Magnificent Tree Frog, White-Lipped Tree Frog, Green and Gold Bell Frog, Great Barred Frog)
Note: Common and scientific names referenced are as listed in the NSW Native Animal Keeper Species List 2016.
Their small size as nymphs (6mm) also makes them an ideal feeder insect for smaller species of reptiles & amphibians, including:
Small Skinks (eg. Members of Acritoscincus, Cyclodomorphus)
Small Dragons (eg. Members of Ctenophorus, Lophognathus)
Geckos (eg. Members of Nephrurus, Underwoodisaurus, Oedura, Strophurus, Phyllurus, Lucasium, Saltuarius, Diplodactylus)
Legless lizards (eg. Members of Lialis, Pygopus)
Frogs (eg. Members of Litoria, Limnodynastes, Notaden, Pseudophryne)
Note: Common and scientific names referenced are as listed in the NSW Native Animal Keeper Species List 2016.
PRODUCTION
There is ample research available showing that Dubias are essentially flightless and do not climb smooth surfaces, which makes them easy to confine. They are omnivorous, able to thrive on food waste, and generally breed well. These characteristics combine to explain their success as a reptile feed for commercial, zoological and pet contexts.
There are also potential economic opportunities beyond the obvious benefits of having local sole traders and small businesses able to provide reptile feed. Their behavioural and nutritional characteristics have sparked interest as an innovative, environmentally positive protein source for animal consumption.
EDUCATION & BIOSECURITY
They do not pose a major risk of establishing populations locally, having been available within Australia for decades without any instances of becoming locally invasive. This matches the pattern seen world-wide, where Dubias are used as feeders for reptiles and are not known to be an established invasive species.
Being large, placid insects with an interesting lifecycle, they are also suitable for keeping as pets, and can provide an excellent introduction to biology and the natural world for school students.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
