Officials in Wellington, New Zealand, have reported the largest-ever confiscation of exotic invertebrates in Australia. Over 100,000 live cockroaches, illegal to keep in Australia, were seized from a breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales. This seizure, valued at 200,000 Australian dollars ($142,000), occurred in May. The confiscated species include Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches.

The Madagascar hissing cockroach ranks among the world’s largest, measuring 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) in length. Photos show a shiny, brown invertebrate that’s larger than a person’s finger. This size starkly contrasts with the common Australian cockroach, which measures between 0.9 and 1.4 inches (2.3 and 3.6 centimeters).

Australia’s climate favors cockroach proliferation, with the country hosting hundreds of species. Stefanie Lesser, a snake catcher in Bathurst, noted that these larger exotic cockroaches are likely used as a cost-effective reptile food option due to their size. However, officials recommend using crickets or wood roaches instead for feeding lizards.

Importing Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches into Australia is illegal. These species cannot be legally kept, bred, or sold. Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water emphasizes strict biosecurity measures to shield agriculture, horticulture, and native wildlife from infestation risks. Violators of these regulations face significant fines.

The potential threats posed by exotic cockroaches include spreading disease and harming native wildlife as these cockroaches have not undergone environmental risk assessments. While the Bathurst breeder was not charged, officials have made it clear that those caught with illegal invertebrates face prosecution. The seized cockroaches face euthanasia according to the department.