Americans often hear about scary Australian cockroaches. But in truth, not all 400 native species are pests. Australia’s cockroach world is big and diverse. This includes special kinds that live in caves without wings. Most live in nature and help the ecosystem.
If you see a cockroach outside in Australia, it’s probably a native one. Only the smokybrown cockroach might come close to people’s spaces. Native cockroach species in Australia are many. They live in different places on the land. Some come out by day and rest on plants and rocks. Others are night creatures. They help feed other animals in nature.
The Australian cockroach is specifically known as Periplaneta australasiae. If you are seeking a list of species that are commonly referred to as Australian cockroaches, you would mainly focus on Periplaneta australasiae. However, for a broader context, here is a list of species within the genus Periplaneta, which includes the Australian cockroach please note that all the below names starts with prefix “Periplaneta” e.g. Periplaneta Fuliginosa, etc.) ::
- Australasiae – Australian Cockroach
- Americana – American Cockroach
- Fuliginosa – Smokybrown Cockroach
- Brunnea – Brown Cockroach
- Japonica – Japanese Cockroach
- Aboriginea
- Arabica
- Arcaniformis
- Chapmani
- Consobrina
- Decipiens
- Fossulata
- Fuliginoides
- Hanae
- Inaccessibilis
- Insularis
- Intermedia
- Karnyi
- Lateralis
- Liturata
- Longipennis
- Magnifica
- Minor
- Minuta
- Nitida
- Opaca
- Propinqua
- Pyrhocephala
- Rufipes
- Sapucayensis
- Semivitta
- Sundaica
- Tibetana
This list includes various species within the Periplaneta genus, highlighting Periplaneta australasiae as the species commonly referred to as the Australian cockroach.
Diverse World of Native Australian Cockroaches
Australia is a special place, full of different native cockroaches. It has over 400 cockroach species. These insects are strong and live in many places, even caves.
Identification and Habitats
The Oriental, German, and American cockroaches are often seen with people in Australia. They live in homes, ships, and places where food is kept. These cockroaches vary in size, from as small as 11 mm to as big as 53 mm.
Did you know, most of the 550 cockroach species in Australia are from there? They live in all kinds of land, even in caves. Australia’s wild places are home to many native cockroaches, some as big as 6.5 cm.
But some, like the Smoky brown cockroach, live near people too. This makes it hard to tell some cockroaches apart.
There are 4,000 cockroach species around the world, with 450 in Australia. Only a few of them are pests. Most native cockroaches help their environments a lot.
Australian Cockroach Species
Australia has over 400 kinds of cockroaches. The Australian cockroach, Periplaneta australasiae, is one of them. It is a common type found outside in places like southern Florida and the southeastern U.S.
The Australian cockroach is between 23-35 mm long. It is from Africa but lives in many places now. This cockroach likes warm places but can survive in the cold, too. It is usually seen along Australia’s east coast. This is from Cape York to the Victorian border. It is also found in the southern U.S. and other warm parts of the world.
The Australian cockroach likes to eat plants. It also eats many other things, like rotting stuff. It often stays near buildings. Sometimes, it goes inside looking for food or a place to live.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 23-35 mm (0.91–1.38 in) in length |
| Origin | Cosmopolitan species, introduced to Australia from Africa |
| Habitat | Prefers warm, damp areas such as outdoors, greenhouses, and warm, damp buildings |
| Feeding Habits | Feeds on a wide range of organic matter, including plants and decaying materials |
| Reproduction | Female produces 20-30 egg capsules, each containing 12-24 nymphs; takes about a year for nymphs to reach adulthood |
The Australian cockroach is not native to Australia. It is a big part of the country’s cockroach group now. In places like the southern U.S., you can control it with abamectin cockroach baits.
Conclusion
The world of Australian cockroaches is big, with over 400 kinds. Many are native and not pests. Some, like the Australian cockroach, can cause issues. It’s easy to spot with its yellow marks and brown color.
Knowing about the Australian cockroach species helps us deal with them. By learning about the endemic cockroaches in Australia and the pest cockroaches in Australia, we can keep our spaces nice.
Australian cockroaches have their place in nature. They help keep the environment in check. It’s vital we let them live freely in their habitats.
