BlattodeaAnamesia sp Balta bicolor Bush Cockroach Ellipsidion Ellipsidion australe Ellipsidion humarale Nasutitermes triodiae Termite — Alate
The native Bush Cockroach, also referred to as Native Cockroach are found across Australia. There is thought to be between 400 to over 500 species of Australian Native Cockroaches that live in the bush, as well as parks and gardens.
The Bush Cockroach or Native Cockroach are sometimes mistakenly called Australian Cockroach who belong to species Periplaneta australasiae.
Bush cockroaches / native cockroaches are harmless insects, not to be confused with the pest species found in our homes. The different species of bush cockroaches are found in a range of shapes and sizes, with the smallest species about 3 mm long. The largest species, the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, can grow up to 8 cm long and can weigh up to 20 grams.
Most bush cockroach species are nocturnal, usually active at night time, although some may be seen during the day, especially if you disturb their habitat, such as the leaf litter.
All cockroaches, belong to a group of insects called Blattodea (from the Latin blatta, meaning a light-shunning insect).
Many thanks to Alex Barlow from Entomology Australia “Invertebratology”, Facebook group for assistance with identifying this native cockroach species.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Uniramia
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Blattodea
Footnote & References
- Bush cockroaches, Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, https://fieldofmar-e.schools.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/bush-cockroaches.html
- Our native cockroaches aren’t as gross as you think, by Angela Heathcote, 11 April 2018, Australian Geographic, https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/04/our-native-cockroaches-arent-as-gross-as-you-think/
- Entomology Australia “Invertebratology”, Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/507004496955277
- Native Cockroaches of Australia, by Blogger Su, Insects of Western Australia’s South West, The Insect Diary, 14 February 2017, https://theinsectdiary.blogspot.com/2017/02/native-cockroaches-of-australia.html
BlattodeaAnamesia sp Balta bicolor Bush Cockroach Ellipsidion Ellipsidion australe Ellipsidion humarale Nasutitermes triodiae Termite — Alate