Laxta sp. (genus)
Bark cockroach at Watson, ACT
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| Laxta sp. (genus) | trevorpreston | 7 Aug 2024 | |
| Panesthia sp. (genus) | waltraud | 7 Aug 2024 | |
| Unverified | MPW | 6 Aug 2024 |
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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
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.
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.
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.
Location information
- Maps The Fair, Watson
- Places Watson, ACT
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- MPW Recorded by
- Under Decaying Log Associated plant
- 12mm to 25mm Animal size
- Unknown Gender
- Alive / healthy Animal health
Collections
- MPW Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Laxta sp. (genus) Cockroaches (Blattodea, several families) Insects
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
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species