Giant burrowing cockroach that can live 10 years

September 9, 2024 3:33 AM

This giant burrowing cockroach could be the key to protecting undisturbed coastal reserve. There is a push to protect Queensland's Reedy Creek Reserve by having it recognised under a special state conservation law. The charity hopes that the giant burrowing cockroach, Macropanesthia rothi and a potentially new crayfish species of the Tenuibranchiurus genus will help to elevate Reedy Creek Reserve to the status of a special wildlife reserve, a protection unique to Queensland. "This is a cockroach that lives for 10 years, potentially, and it's a really fascinating creature and really important for the area," Bush Heritage special wildlife reserve project officer Felicity Shapland said.

"It lays its young in burrows and it can raise those young for a couple of years underground.

"Then it goes out and it does lots of the forest floor litter and nutrient recycling in the ecosystem."

posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (9 comments total)

Ok ok lead with scary sounding giant burrowing cockroach to pull us in (giant?! not even as big as a hand!, but then win the day with the wonderfully cute mini crayfish (mini?! not even as big as a hand!).
posted by chavenet at 4:26 AM on September 9

That cockroach is quite giant enough for me!
(muffled screaming)
posted by Fuchsoid at 4:46 AM on September 9

Having lived in Austin, TX with cockroaches around (that were quite giant enough, thank you), I was only bothered by them when they showed up suddenly in my apartment. Outside, in a tree, they were pretty neat to watch and, in the sunlight, even pretty. I got no beef with cockroaches who keep to their terrain and not mine.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:15 AM on September 9 [1 favorite]

GenjiandProust, I can't stand feral/introduced European cockroaches in Australia (which spread germs),

but I actually quite wish that the lives-10-years, burrowing cockroach was native to my part of Australia, and that I currently had some in my garden, breaking down the the leaf litter. Sadly, they're not.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 5:57 AM on September 9 [1 favorite]

giant burrowing cockroach that can live 10 years is my next username.
posted by SPrintF at 7:58 AM on September 9

Interestingly, cockroaches are not beetles. And beetles do not spread diseases like cockroaches do, hence beetles being cute and cockroaches being disgusting.

"Beetles are the largest group in the Animal Kingdom, representing about a fourth of all animals. Currently, more than 350,000 beetle species have been identified."
posted by jeffburdges at 8:32 AM on September 9

no no no no no no no no
posted by praemunire at 8:50 AM on September 9

The thing is, roaches are creatures of context. I have a few different types here, one as pets (hissing roaches), two as feeders (dubias and turkestan/red runners). The hissing roaches are large, but seem personable. The dubias, although they're feeders, are also very personable, especially when they get full size--but I had one escape the other day, and it was funny how quickly my mind went from "personable and cute" to "omg PESTILENCE," just because the roach was on the wrong side of the cage. I would love one of these giant burrowing guys...although I have enough pets that I never get to see, I guess.
posted by mittens at 8:54 AM on September 9 [1 favorite]

no no no no no no no no

Let me reiterate that:

!!!!NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!

*checks distance, shudders* ~8,400 miles
Almost enough!

I'm cool with giant worms. They can churn up my garden anytime. No roachs. Please.
NO roaches!
posted by BlueHorse at 1:21 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]