Living Large and Fierce - Meet the Table Mountain Cockroach

Living Large and Fierce - Meet the Table Mountain Cockroach

Grootbos Foundation

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Living Large and Fierce - Meet the Table Mountain Cockroach

Did you know the Table Mountain Cockroach (Aptera fusca) is the largest native cockroach in our region?

Females are wingless and reach up to 40mm
Males are smaller (up to 29mm) and have wings

These gentle giants have a fierce side, too! To defend themselves, they hiss or squeak by forcing air through tiny breathing holes called spiracles. They also release a foul-smelling, oily substance that deters predators.

Fierce when threatened, gentle in nature.

Brought to you by the Grootbos Foundation Entomology team

Living Large and Fierce - Meet the Table Mountain Cockroach

Grootbos Foundation

Grootbos Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation in Gansbaai committed to conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom and uplifting the communities that reside within it. The foundation protects more than 22,200ha of fynbos landscape and biodiversity on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Walk...

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