American Cockroach (on spider egg-sac)
Periplaneta americana
-27.5085, 153.018
Field Notes
Description:
Not to be confused with Periplaneta australasiae, the Australian Cockroach. Similar in size, colour, shape, although they are two separate species in the same genus. Golden brown in colour, approx. 5 cms in length, slightly larger than its Aust. cousin. Like most cockroaches, the head is covered from above by an overhanging, shield-like thorax. This species aka waterbug (even although not aquatic), ship cockroach, kakerlac, and Bombay canary. PS: I initially though the yellow silk nest belonged to this specimen, but my investigations revealed that cockroaches lay a hard, pill-shaped capsule, usually in crevices, etc., and not in silk nests. The cockroach stayed in this position for quite some time but was gone by dusk. PPS: 3rd photo taken Jan 23, 2018 - I discovered today that the silk nest belongs to a spider; the Golden Orb-Weaver (Nephila plumipes). There are hundreds of spider hatchlings nesting in a web above the egg-sac. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_weavers/Golden_OW.htm
Habitat:
Under the eave of a suburban house. Weather has been hot and humid of late, and I've seen several cockroaches of different species on the move. Habitat would usually be in garden areas, compost bins, sewers, industrial locations. Found in most warm climates.
Notes:
Cockroaches are grouped together with several other insect species types, as Orthopteroid Insects. They are closely related and have many common characteristics - https://brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_hoppers/index.html Approximately 450 species of cockroach are found in Australia, but only five of these species are considered pests.
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