Dubia Roaches vs Woodies Australia | Which Feeder Is Better

March 28, 2026

Woodies were previously the most popular, and really only, roach feeder option here in Australia. However, Dubia Roaches are now becoming much more widely available. It's helpful to understand the differences and why Dubia will likely quickly replace Wood Roaches (woodies).

This guide compares dubia roaches and woodies to help you decide which feeder is best for your reptile. For a full breakdown of all feeder options, see our complete guide to feeder insects in Australia.

Quick takeaway: Dubia roaches and woodies have many similarities, though dubia breed slower, they can't climb, get larger, and are easier to feed.

Legality and Availability in Australia

In Australia, feeder insect options are more limited than in other countries due to biosecurity restrictions.

Wood roaches (woodies): native species, widely accepted and commonly used
Dubia roaches: now legal in Australia but still less established

Woodies are more familiar to Australian keepers, while dubia roaches are still growing in popularity. Though it's predicted that dubia roaches will quickly replace woodies in the australian market.

Ease of Care and Maintenance

Both feeders are relatively hardy, but they behave slightly differently.

Dubia roaches: Are hardy but prefer stable warmth, are low maintenance, and can't climb as well as woodies
Woodies: extremely hardy, tolerate wider environmental conditions, but climb everything, making them harder to contain

Woodies tend to survive better in fluctuating temperatures, making them a strong option in cooler regions without heating. Though Dubia can also tolerate cooler temps, they do far better if warmed slightly (kept above 20°)

For more info on how to care for woodies, see: How to Care for Live Woodies

For more info on how to care for Dubia roaches, see: Dubia Roach Care Guide

Nutrition Comparison

Dubia roaches and woodies can both make great staple feeder insects when properly gutloaded. Here's some comparisons from the information we have found.

Protein: Dubia have similar protein to woodies on average, with both being being roughly 20-25%
Fat: From the available information, Woodies and Dubia roaches have roughly the same fat content at 7%
Moisture: Higher for Dubia at 60% to over 70%, compared to 50-60% for woodies
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: Both are better then crickets, but supplementation with additional calcium is still required.

These figures/fact above have been gathered from extensive research on the internet, however we have not ran our own independent tests nor can find the original data source for the figures. If the information above is correct, Dubia roaches and woodies appear to be relatively similar nutritionally, with the main differences coming from their size and behaviour.

For improving feeder quality, see: How to Gut Load Feeder Insects

Other Benefits to Dubia Roaches

Dubia don't climb as well as woodies
Dubia are slower
Dubia smell less
Dubia get larger

Durability and Survival

Woodies tend to tolerate harsher conditions then dubia roaches, though dubia are still very hardy.

Woodies: extremely durable and breed faster, though can be sensitive to moisture
Dubia roaches: still hardy, but require more stable environment to thrive, breed slower

If your setup is not temperature-controlled, woodies may survive better in cooler climates, though with a little heating or moving your dubia to a warm location, they can still tolerate cooler temperatures.

Smell and Cleanliness

Both feeders are relatively clean compared to crickets, but dubia roaches have a slight advantage.

Dubia roaches: very low odour when kept dry and clean
Woodies: can develop a mild smell over time

Poor ventilation or excess moisture will increase smell in both species.

Breeding Potential

Both species can be bred in captivity, but their requirements can differ slightly.

Dubia roaches: require consistent warmth for reliable breeding
Woodies: breed more easily in a wider range of conditions and twice as fast

For small-scale breeding, woodies are often considered easier as they breed more often, but dubia are much easier to deal with and keep.

For more info, see: How to Breed Woodies

and: How to Breed Dubia Roaches

Feeding Behaviour

Woodies are more active and faster than dubia roaches. They can also climb almost every surface imaginable.

Woodies: fast movement, stimulates strong feeding response but means they can escape easily
Dubia roaches: slower, easier to control, can't climb

Some reptiles respond better to more active feeders like woodies but dubia are far easier for your reptile to catch. They can also be fed in a smooth sided bowl for convenience.

Which One Should You Choose

Both dubia roaches and woodies are excellent feeder insects, and the best choice depends on your setup and preferences. But Dubia roaches tend to be preferred due to their larger size, slow movement, lack of smell, and ease to keep.

Many Australian reptile keepers use both to provide variety and balance.

Here at Reptifauna, we don't currently produce woodies, but we do ship Dubia Roaches Australia wide. You can find more information below:

Understanding the strengths of each feeder will help you build a more effective feeding routine for you and your reptile.