Shining cockroach

Description:

A fairly large Australian native cockroach which is sometimes incredibly reflective like highly polished metal. These live in leaf litter and carry no threat of disease to humans. Approximately 50mm long long including antennae.

Habitat:

School yard wall in early afternoon.

Notes:

An excerpt from 'The Age' newspaper Feb 2008 "Museum Victoria's senior curator of entomology Dr Ken Walker says the common shining cockroach doesn't carry disease or wish to share your meals. "It is a native and it's not a pest, just a nuisance, so it's really just a matter of us learning to live with our native animals," he said. Roaming 'roaches have kept the phones ringing for pest control companies, but Exopest director and entomologist Simon Dixon says having your yard sprayed with insecticide is unlikely to affect native cockroaches in their hiding places. It's also bad for the environment as it's more likely to kill vital smaller insects. "Unfortunately, many pest control companies will say yes, they'll spray, but we don't advocate it as it is very ineffective and a waste of money," he said. "You are better to pick them up with a dustpan and shoo them outside." Or get a chook, council permitting. "