Giant Cockroaches Seized in Australia
Collected Photo
Australian authorities have seized more than 100,000 illegal and exotic cockroaches from a commercial breeder in New South Wales, some of them as large as a human palm.
The seized cockroaches included Madagascar hissing cockroach and Dubia cockroaches, which were found at a breeder in Bathurst, located about 200 kilometers west of Sydney. Both species are illegal to import, keep, breed, or sell in Australia.
Authorities said this is the country’s largest-ever seizure of illegal and exotic invertebrates. Officials warned that the insects could spread disease and harm local wildlife and agriculture. The estimated market value of the seized cockroaches is around AUD 200,000 (USD 143,000).
The illegal cockroaches were reportedly being used as food for pet reptiles.
A spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water warned pet businesses and owners about the illegal breeding and trade of exotic cockroaches, saying any prohibited species found would be confiscated and offenders could face penalties under federal law.
Reptile owners who use Dubia cockroaches as feed were advised to seek legal alternatives such as crickets and wood cockroaches.
The Madagascar hissing cockroach, one of the world’s largest cockroach species, gets its name from the loud hissing sound it produces.
Bathurst snake catcher Stephanie Lesser said she had seen the illegal invertebrates being sold online as reptile food and suggested they may be popular because one large cockroach can feed several lizards.
Source: BBC
