Invasive Cockroach Species That Can Withstand Lower Temperatures Identified For First Time in New York

Biologists have confirmed the presence of a species of cockroach in Manhattan that can withstand cold. This is the first time that this roach species is found in the U.S.

In a new finding, the biologists Jessica Ware and Dominic Evangelista have confirmed the presence of an Asian species Periplaneta japonica in Manhattan for the first time. This species not just survives in the warm weather but can also beat the freezing temperatures and thrive successfully.

"About 20 years ago colleagues of ours in Japan reared nymphs of this species and measured their tolerance to being able to survive in snow," Ware, who is an assistant professor of biological sciences at Rutgers-Newark, said in a statement. "As the species has invaded Korea and China, there has been some confirmation that it does very well in cold climates, so it is very conceivable that it could live outdoors during winter in New York. That is in addition to its being well suited to live indoors alongside the species that already are here."

It was back in 2012 that the Asian species was first identified by an exterminator who was working at a site on Manhattan's West Side. On noticing the thriving newcomer, the carcasses of the species were sent to the University of Florida for analysis. Genetic characteristics of the species confirmed it to be Periplaneta Japonica.

The arrival of invasive species still remains a mystery but researchers assume that the ornamental plants planted at High Line arrived with the pests.

Many nurseries in the United States have some native plants and some imported plants," Ware said, "so it's not a far stretch to picture that that is the source." Evangelista adds, "If we discover more populations in the U.S., we could trace their genes back to try to figure out their exact sources."

At the moment the research find it challenging to predict the threat of the arrival of the new six legged species. But they are certain that there is no need to panic. Since this invasive species thrives in the urban environment, which will eventually lead to competition and a drop in population. Apart from this, their numbers will fall due to less time spent in reproduction.

The chances for the species to interbreed and give rise to a hybrid super roach are very bleak.

"The male and female genitalia fit together like a lock and key and that differs by species," Evangelista says. "So we assume that one won't fit the other."

As a precaution, the researchers ask the residents to sweep, vacuum and clear the clutter at home. Also using a dehumidifier can lower their population as extremely arid air destroys the egg cases and also lowers the roaches' ability to multiply.

The findings were reported in the Journal of Economic Entomology.