Hormetica strumosa – Swole Horned Roach | Bioluminescent Display Roach | Live Arrival Guarantee

Hormetica strumosa — the Swole Horned Roach — is one of the most extraordinary roaches in the hobby, and a species that genuinely has no equal in terms of sheer visual drama. Males develop prominent, thickened pronotal horns that give this species its unforgettable common name — and in person, the effect is exactly as impressive as it sounds. This is a roach that looks like it lifts.

Beyond the horns, H. strumosa belongs to a genus with a remarkable biological distinction: Hormetica species are among the very few insects documented to produce bioluminescence, mimicking the warning glow of toxic click beetles as a defensive strategy. Whether or not this is reliably observable in captivity, the evolutionary story alone makes this species a conversation piece unlike anything else on your shelf.

Large, robust, and strikingly patterned, the Swole Horned Roach is a premium display species for serious collectors. They are not a beginner roach — they reward keepers who invest in proper setup and husbandry — but for those who do, they are among the most rewarding and visually spectacular roaches available anywhere in the hobby.

Care Highlights

Size, life stage & quantity options

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• Size / stock option: 10 Count

Count labels state the number of animals in the selected pack. Cart quantity is the number of packs you order.

For a quantity, sex, or life stage not specified in your chosen option, contact Isopod King before purchasing.

• Temperature: 75–85°F; warm and stable tropical conditions
• Humidity: High — keep substrate consistently moist with good ventilation
• Substrate: Several inches of coconut fiber or peat-based mix with leaf litter; deep enough for burrowing
• Hides: Cork bark and sturdy hides; males will use vertical and horizontal retreats
• Feeding: Dry dog or cat food, fruits, vegetables, leaf litter, and decaying wood; varied diet encouraged
• Enclosure: Large, secure enclosure with smooth upper walls or Fluon barrier; well-ventilated lid essential
• Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced — a premium species that rewards proper husbandry

A Live Arrival Guarantee is included with every purchase. In the unlikely event of a DOA, photo and video documentation of the specimen in original packaging is required to process a claim.

Report a live-arrival problem within one hour of carrier-recorded delivery or pickup. Email support@isopodking.com with your order number, clear photos of the affected animals and all packaging, and a brief description. The contact form does not accept photo attachments. Keep the animals, products, and packaging until the claim is resolved. Send any video documentation required by this listing to the same email address. Coverage and resolutions follow our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.