Someone Tried to Smuggle 100,000 Cockroaches Into Australia, But Why?

Every day, authorities around the world stop unwanted imports from entering their countries and seize illegal goods that have already slipped through the cracks. But it’s not every day that those illegal goods come in the form of thousands of creepy crawlies.

In early June, Australian officials announced the seizure of 100,000 live exotic cockroaches. The cockroaches are worth an estimated $200,000 and were previously in the possession of a commercial breeder. “We’re seeing illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches, and we’re putting pet businesses and pet owners on notice,” said a spokesperson from the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Why Are Cockroaches Illegal?

Two specific cockroach species were part of this latest seizure: the dubia cockroach and the Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Turns out, these cockroaches weren’t seized because there’s anything specifically dangerous about them. The problem is simple: these cockroach species are not on Australia’s Live Import List, which lists every living creature the country allows to be imported.

The issue with these “exotic cockroaches” is how they might affect existing ecosystems. Countries have clear rules for what can cross their borders because new species can spread diseases and harm native plants and animals.

Why Do People Want These Cockroaches?

The most obvious use for imported cockroaches is pet food. These Dubia and Madagascar hissing cockroaches are considerably larger than other insects available as pet food, making them a much more efficient food source. “Reptile owners who have been using dubia roaches as feeders are encouraged to seek legal alternatives such as crickets and wood roaches,” said the DCCEEW spokesperson.

There is another, less common and potentially harder-to-believe reason for cockroach importing: some people keep them as pets. In particular, the Madagascar Hissing cockroach is a popular choice for those looking to keep pet insects. They’re large, surprisingly clean, and live for around 2-5 years.

But unless they’re one day added to the Live Import List, Australians will have to stick to less exotic pets or risk penalties. “Reptile owners who have been using dubia roaches as feeders are encouraged to seek legal alternatives such as crickets and wood roaches,” said the DCCEEW.

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