While there is hot debate around whether cockroaches could survive a nuclear war, a sure bet is that they could not survive the toxin from a bootlace worm.

Queensland and Swedish researchers discovered the toxin was also strong enough to kill a crab and believe it could be used to create a new and very potent insecticide.

Lineus longissimus, also known as the bootlace worm.

The marine bootlace worm, commonly found in the United Kingdom and in the North Sea on the west coast of Sweden, can stretch up to 55 metres long and is the world's longest animal.

University of Queensland senior research fellow Dr Johan Rosengren said tests showed the toxin would not be as effective if it came into contact with humans.