Record-Breaking Seizure of Exotic Cockroaches in NSW
More than 100,000 live exotic cockroaches were confiscated from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, located in New South Wales' central west, marking the largest seizure of illegal exotic invertebrates in Australia. The cockroaches, valued at up to $200,000, were likely intended for the pet trade, including use as reptile food.
Biosecurity officials conducted the seizure this week, removing species such as dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, the latter being among the world's largest cockroach species.
Legal and Environmental Concerns
The federal environment department emphasized that these cockroaches cannot be legally imported, kept, bred, or sold under Australian law, regardless of how they were acquired. Exotic cockroaches have not undergone environmental risk assessments, and their presence poses risks including disease transmission and potential harm to native wildlife and agriculture.
“We take our job protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity and breaches of national environment law very seriously,” a spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water said.
“We’re seeing illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches and we’re putting pet businesses and pet owners on notice.
“If you are found to possess, breed or trade exotic cockroaches such as dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches they will be seized and you could face penalties under federal law.”
The seized cockroaches were likely destined for the pet trade, including as food for pet reptiles. Dubia cockroaches are commonly used as feeders for captive reptiles, as well as frogs and some fish.
“Reptile owners who have been using dubia roaches as feeders are encouraged to seek legal alternatives such as crickets and wood roaches,” the spokesperson added.
Expert Reactions and Biosecurity Risks
Dr Carol Booth, policy director at the Invasive Species Council, described the discovery as “shocking” and commended authorities for dismantling the operation.
“It represents a massive biosecurity risk – not just because these foreign cockroaches could establish in the wild and threaten native cockroaches and other insects, but because they could introduce new diseases.”
Booth highlighted Australia's rich native cockroach fauna, noting that more than 500 individual species have been described. She expressed concern about the scale of illegal breeding revealed by the Bathurst raid, suggesting it indicates a potentially widespread black market in illegal wildlife.
“The fact there had been breeding of illegal exotic species on the scale identified by the Bathurst raid raises great concerns about how widespread this illegal trade might be and the potential size of the black market in these and other illegal wildlife.”
She also called for the Australian legal system to treat illegal wildlife cases with greater seriousness, citing that most offenses currently attract low penalties despite the significant risks to native species and industries. Additionally, Booth urged for increased resources to investigate the illegal exotic wildlife trade.
“This is one example of a much bigger problem in Australia of illegal sale and keeping of exotic wildlife, including exotic snakes and other reptiles,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there is a growing global trend in keeping exotic invertebrates as pets, including invasive ant species. Biosecurity authorities should pay close attention to this emerging new pathway.”
Industry Response and Next Steps
Anthony Ramsey, chief executive of the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA), criticized the scale of enforcement in Bathurst as “heavy‑handed and disproportionate” compared to responses to similar species under identical legal circumstances.
“PIAA is calling for a coherent national framework that treats like cases alike, rather than singling out one sector for punitive action,” he stated.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is overseeing the euthanasia and disposal of the seized cockroaches. Australia has sought further comment from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
