NOT a Pest!

Celablatta sp.

As I was taking timber offcuts from my woodshed today I disturbed a family of native New Zealand bush cockroaches, innocent little cousins of the notorious cockroaches. There were about ten of them, ranging in size from 15mm adults to 5mm juveniles. They instantly vanished, but I was able to trap this one in the bright light of the wheelbarrow. It is covered with fine sawdust.

These cockroaches live in the forest, under bark, in logs, and in woodsheds. Rarely are they brought into the house with the firewood because they usually escape. They have no wings and they don't stink.