Over 100,000 live cockroaches were confiscated from a single breeder known as the ‘cockroach kingpin’, in what is considered one of the largest seizures of exotic invertebrates ever recorded.
The collection of creepy crawlies included Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Dubia cockroaches, with an estimated value of 200,000 Australian dollars (£106,000). Authorities made the seizure in May in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The Madagascar hissing cockroach, measuring between 5 to 8 centimeters long, is among the largest species of its kind.
In contrast to the common Australian cockroach, which typically grows to lengths of 2.3 to 3.6 centimeters, these exotic cockroaches are significantly larger. Images released by officials depicted one of the shiny, brown insects larger than a person’s finger.
The larger exotic cockroaches were likely intended for sale as an economical food source for reptiles due to their size, reducing the quantity needed. Bathurst snake catcher Stefanie Lesser suggested pet owners opt for crickets or wood roaches for feeding their lizards instead of these exotic cockroaches.
While these large cockroaches might be cost-effective, Lesser highlighted the potential devastating impact they could have if released. She warned that if infected with a disease, they could wipe out the local cricket population, affecting birds and other animals that rely on them for food.
Authorities emphasized that exotic cockroaches pose environmental risks, including disease transmission and harm to native wildlife. Importing, keeping, breeding, or selling Madagascar hissing and Dubia cockroaches in Australia is illegal, regardless of how they were obtained.
Australia’s stringent biosecurity measures aim to safeguard its agriculture, horticulture, and native wildlife from pest threats. Smuggling in illegal animals, insects, or plants can result in substantial fines. While the breeder faced no charges, the seized cockroaches would be euthanized, and officials warned of prosecutions against individuals caught with these invertebrates.
A spokesperson from the Department of Conservation and Climate Change, Energy and Water stated that illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches would not be tolerated, with penalties under federal law awaiting those in possession of such species.