New York is no stranger to cockroaches, but it does have a new breed visiting (translation: inhabiting) the city. And this new cockroach is no ordinary cockroach, as it is immune to the cold, harsh winters of the city. And while you may be tempted to scoff at this news, consider this: A recent study found that the population of cockroaches, in general, in New York City is similar to that of the city's human population. The new cockroach that is settling in the city is a species native to Asia: Periplaneta japonica. "We are both deliberately and inadvertently mixing species at an unprecedented rate," said Christopher Dionigi, assistant director for national policy and programs at the National Invasive Species Council, to NBC News. "This is going on worldwide."
Here are four things to know about the new cockroach Periplaneta japonica: 1. The new cockroach, Periplaneta japonica, is native to Asia. Specifically: Japan, Korea and China. 2. The new cockroach, Periplaneta japonica, is able to survive harsh weathers because they have terhalose, a natural antifreeze, that allows them to live in long, cold winters. What's more, the nypmphs are able to survive the winter as well. 3. The new cockroach was first found last year at the High Line public garden in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. The conclusive identification was done by bug experts at Rutgers University via DNA barcoding. "I am not aware of any other sighting of this species," Rutgers' Dominic Evangelista said to NBC News about the Periplaneta japonica. 4. Curious how the new cockroach made its way to New York? The scientists who identified the Periplaneta japonica revealed that they believe it entered via imported plans or soil.
How serious is the arrival of the new cockroach? Rutgers entomologist Jessica Ware stated that the bugs' resilience to snow means it can result in a hybrid super-bug. "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," said Evangelista.
But the complex genitalia of cockroach could prevent that. "Cockroaches have really cool genitalia," Evangelista said in a press release. "They're asymmetric and they're really complex." She added: "Cockroach male and female genitalia fit together like a lock and key, and that differs by species. So we assume that one won't fit the other."
Image courtesy of Barnaby Chambers via Shutterstock.
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