Periplaneta japonica cockroaches are surviving the winter (Picture: AP)

A tough new species of cockroach has surprised locals by surviving New York’s freezing winter.

Normally the insects die out when the weather deteriorates but the Periplaneta japonica, which is usually found in Asia, is proving difficult to kill.

Some residents are concerned the species, which is new to the US, could have a negative impact but Rutgers University biologist Dominic Evangelista doesn’t think there will be much of a change.

‘Because this species is very similar to cockroach species that already exist in the urban environment, they likely will compete with each other for space and for food,’ he said.


His colleague Jessica Ware added this was likely to keep the population low, with further findings from the Journal of Economic Entomology suggesting a hybrid super-roach was unlikely.