Laxta sp. (genus)

Bark cockroach at Watson, ACT

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Identification history

Laxta sp. (genus)	7 Aug 2024	trevorpreston
Panesthia sp. (genus)	7 Aug 2024	waltraud
Unverified	6 Aug 2024	MPW

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User's notes

A very Flattened species of cockroach which adheres tightly to log surface, Even Grey / Camouflaged colour. Keeps very still (not moving). Distinctive Large segmentation, long antennae.

4 comments

waltraud wrote:

7 Aug 2024

hi Max, the long antennae are a feature of all members of cockroach families (adults and larvae); your photos depict a larva given the wings are not developed, being flat and segmented is a feature of all Blattodea . I assume it is a common wood cockroach which lives in rotting wood; visit Panesthia australis for more info and photos of adults and larvae of various stages.

waltraud wrote:

7 Aug 2024

interesting - I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Laxta and Panesthia larvae from the photos; thought larvae of Laxta members are more brownish and larvae of Panesthia australis more shiny.

trevorpreston wrote:

7 Aug 2024

That's true in general, laxta colour can vary quite a bit, Panesthia are black and shiny, but the shape of Laxta species is quite distinctive.

waltraud wrote:

7 Aug 2024

thanks trevorpreston

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Location information

Maps The Fair, Watson
Places Watson, ACT

Sighting information

1 Abundance
MPW Recorded by
Collections
MPW Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Cockroaches (Blattodea, several families) Insects

Additional information

Under Decaying Log Associated plant
12mm to 25mm Animal size
Unknown Gender
Alive / healthy Animal health

Species information

Laxta sp. (genus) Scientific name
Bark cockroach Common name
Not Sensitive
Local native
Non-invasive or negligible
Up to 1220.08m Recorded at altitude
72 images trained Machine learning
External link More information

Record quality

Images or audio
More than one media file
Verified by an expert moderator
Nearby sighting(s) of same species
GPS evidence of location
Description
Additional attributes

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Queensland

Northern Territory

Western Australia

South Australia

Victoria

Tasmania

Laxta sp. (genus)

Bark cockroach at Watson, ACT

Identification history

Identify this sighting

User's notes

4 comments

Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

Species information

Record quality