Melanozosteria sp. (genus) at Conder, ACT

A native cockroach at Conder, ACT

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Identification history

Melanozosteria sp. (genus)	10 Nov 2016	michaelb
Platyzosteria melanaria	11 Oct 2016	michaelb
Unidentified	3 Oct 2016	michaelb

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Author's notes

Conder, ACT; a large mostly black cockroach; to the eye it appeared to be mainly black, but the use of the flashlight made the red colour come out.

6 comments

RogerF wrote:

4 Oct 2016

What is the length of the cockroach and where was it found?

michaelb wrote:

5 Oct 2016

It was in my garden, 25 to 30mm long, and found after dark; just a standard large black cockroach. To the eye it appeared to be almost all black, but the use of the flashlight made the red colour come out.

michaelb wrote:

6 Oct 2016

Looking at the Internet, I would say the most similar species was "Platyzosteria sp", eg
http://esperancewildlife.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/black-cockroach-platyzosteria-sp.html

RogerF wrote:

7 Oct 2016

I have forwarded the picture to David Rentz as I could not ID it from his book. It appears too large for most Melanozosteria and Platyzosteria

michaelb wrote:

9 Oct 2016

I found another specimen today, body size 33mm. You can see the reddish colour in the 2nd photo. See sighting:
http://canberranaturemap.org/Community/Sightings/Details/3361078

michaelb wrote:

10 Nov 2016

Confirmed as Melanozosteria sp. after advice from David Rentz in reply to Roger's email mentioned above.

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