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Photo#8815
Australian Cockroach - Periplaneta australasiae

Australian Cockroach - Periplaneta australasiae
Stuart, Florida, USA
November 25, 2004
This photo was taken at the Seabranch Preserve State Park.

It was nice to find a cockroach in a natural habitat of this rotting log, as opposed to in my house. I don't know much about roaches, so I am not sure if this is an American or some type of Wood roach...thoughts?

Identification
Dear Bugguide Members,

I was realy happy to come across your web page and be able to identify a little visiter in my bed room with the help of your picture. I'm not the most confortable/familiar around bugs there for I wanted to know for sure who my guest was. I could tell straight away that he/she is not just a common little cockroach with his/hers nice shiny back and decent size. So I jumpt on the computer to see if I can find some index for identifying "Roachy" - we have to call it something ?!.
Your web page is excellent with all the available pictures on the various spicies.
I have a question if I may: How should I release "Roachy" outside ? What location I should look for eg.shaded ?
Will "Roachy" visit me again since I still don't know how he/she came in?
If I could get a bit of life style info. would be great.
Thank You in advance to all !

ANDI

 
Hi Andi
You are more broadminded than I am - I just found one of these (deceased) in my house in FL, and it gives me the creeps. Still, over here they are exotic invaders, whereas where you live they're native, at least.
I hope you released it outside - I'm sure it would find something to eat very easily, as they are omnivorous. The Terminix web site has good information on its habitat, although bug care is not exactly this company's mission (sorry, Roachy). :)

Austrailian roach
This is actually an Australian roach, Periplaneta australasiae. You can tell it is the Australian roach because it says "G'day, mate!" before raiding the pantry:-) Seriously, the pale stripes on the edge of the forewings (tegmen) help differentiate this species from the American cockroach. We could use this shot for the field guide, Tony!

 
Thanks Eric!
Thanks for the ID Eric, I'll make a guide and file the image.

As for the field guide you are working on, is there a recent want list?

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