''Panesthia australis'', colloquially called the Australian wood cockroach or the common wood cockroach, is a species of
giant cockroach endemic to Australia.
Appearance
Adults of this species are usually around 3.4 cm long and black, while nymphs vary between 7 and 35 mm in length, the average length being roughly 17 mm.
Sexual dimorphism in the species is negligible.
Distribution
''Panesesthia australis'' is mostly found in Eastern Australia, especially in
New South Wales
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, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
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.
Colonies
''Panesthia australis'' lives in family groups in rotting wood.
The walls of their burrows are made of
frass
Frass refers loosely to the more or less solid excreta of insects, and to certain other related matter.
Definition and etymology
''Frass'' is an informal term and accordingly it is variously used and variously defined. It is derived from the ...
.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q10615937
Cockroaches
Insects of Australia
Insects described in 1865