Superworms vs. Dubia Roaches - Which is the Better Feeder?
One of the best parts about keeping a reptile is watching them hunt. And for bearded dragons, geckos, tegus, collared lizards, and tarantulas, hunting is one of the most fun parts of their day.
Superworms and dubia roaches are two of the most popular choices for feeder insects. They’re both very easy to keep and provide good nutrition. But there are a couple differences which may lead you to pick one or the other. In this article, we’ll discuss their nutrient content, biology, and how to incorporate them into your pet’s diet.
Let’s get to it and figure out which feeder is better for your reptile friend.
Dubia Roach Biology
The dubia roach, Blaptica dubia, is a small, flightless cockroach native to south America. Only the males have wings, but they have rarely been documented to use them. In nature, the dubia roach lives on the ground in leaf litter and doesn’t move much.
They’re also very sensitive to temperature and humidity This makes them a great option if you’re looking to start a colony of feeder insects; if one escapes, it will probably die before it makes it very far.
Dubia roaches do just fine in a plastic storage bin with egg flats and stale bread for food. They love fruit as a supplement. Room temperature and around 50% humidity is perfect for keeping them alive, although higher temperature will help them reproduce faster.
Dubia roaches grow from about .3” to 1.5” over the course of their lives. This is good for younger bearded dragons and leopard geckos, but might be too small for some larger reptile pets. As a good rule of thumb, you want to pick feeder insects that are as long as the distance between your pet’s eyes.
Superworm Biology
The superworm, Zophobas atratus, is the larva of a darkling beetle native to the tropics of central and south america. They’re notable for their large bodies and high caloric content, which makes them a good option for larger pets. They are also less chitinous than mealworms, and are easier to digest for pets with sensitive stomachs like bearded dragons.
Keeping superworms is similar to dubias, but they require a little more attention than dubia roaches.
Superworms also thrive in a shallow storage bin. They need a 1-2” thick layer of substrate, usually oats or cheerios works just fine. Additional fruits and vegetables (carrots and apples) will help keep their moisture content up.
You want slightly higher than room temperature, and dry conditions. It’s easy to get mold if the environment gets too humid. Superworms are also fairly sessile (don’t move around much) in the larval stage and are easy to keep in captivity.
Superworms are considerably larger than dubia roaches. They grow from 1.7 to 2.25” over the course of their lives. This is maybe the biggest difference between dubias and superworms. Dubias are a great size for juvenile reptiles, but for large species in the adult stage, you may need something larger like a superworm. Again, which insect you pick depends on your pet’s species and age.
Nutrition Comparison
Before looking at each species’ nutrient content, let’s examine what reptiles need. In general insectivorous reptiles need lots of protein and moisture, and lots of calcium. The amount of fat your pet needs depends on its species, but in general you want lean protein for your main feeder, with occasional “snack” feeders with a higher fat content.
Nutritionally, both species have a good protein content and lots of moisture. Dubias win out in mineral content, and both species need a bump in calcium to meet your pet’s needs. Here are the specifics:
Dubia Roach Nutrition Facts
Protein: 22%
Fat: 7.7%
Ash: 1.7%
Moisture: 60%
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: 2:3
Superworm Nutrition Facts
Protein: 19.7%
Fat: 17.7%
Ash: 1%
Moisture: 57.9%
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: 1:13
As you can see, both feeders have a similar protein, ash, and moisture content. Superworms are fattier and have less calcium. Dubia roaches are a classic lean protein feeder, which works great for beardies and leopard geckos as a primary feeder. Superworms are a solid fatty feeder, which may be your main feeder or a great “treat” to add in with your main feeders.
In either case, dusting your feeders with calcium supplement is a good idea. You want more calcium than phosphorus (a 2:1 ratio, ideally) in your pet’s diet, so dusting is the best way to get there. Dubias are better to start, but will still need some supplemental calcium to hit the right number.
Digestibility
Fiber is important to the human diet, but in a reptile’s gut it can cause compaction and give them serious digestive issues. The main way this happens is by eating insects with a lot of chitin, like mealworms. Luckily, dubia roaches and superworms both have a low fiber content, between 2 and 3%. This is much lower than other feeders.
Which Do Reptiles Like Better?
Carnivores get a kick out of hunting. Dubia roaches are typically more mobile than superworms, and provide a better challenge for younger pets that have a lot of energy to chase their prey down. But if you have an older pet that’s not as agile as it used to be, a superworm is a good option.
A Balanced Diet
It’s always important to note that picking one feeder insect is not the way to build a balanced diet for your reptile. Omnivores like bearded dragons need a mix of insects and vegetables. And carnivores like leopard geckos need a variety of insects to meet all of their dietary needs. Remember, we’re just talking about the main staple in your reptile’s diet. Make sure you give them lots of different things to keep them happy and healthy.