MITCHELL’s DIURNAL or PAINTED TRILOBITE COCKROACH

Polyzosteria mitchelli

©clusterpod / Andrei Nikulinsky

This is an especially nice shot by Tumblr’s own clusterpod, a wonderful Australian photographer.

Polyzosteria mitchelli belongs to the Blattidae family (one of four cockroach families) along with 218 species in 20 genera (Australian Faunal Directory). The genus Polyzosteria from the same source has 15 species with many also very colourful. However Polyzosteria mitchelli would have to be one of the most striking with its brilliant color combination. It is mainly recorded from the semi-arid areas of WA, SA and NSW, where always a delight to encounter.

I have found it (usually on shrubby vegetation) from coastal heath to inland mallee flora, including saltlakes and granite outcrops, so although not common, it is very widespread. Growing to 5 cm (2”) in length, it is quite stout and not very fast when compared to the troublesome introduced species that commonly invade houses. The local forms have a bronze background colouration, but apparently metallic green shades have been found in SA. Source



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