A new species of cockroach from Asia has invaded New York. And it has chosen to make its raid in the harsh cold winter season which it can withstand.
The High Line in New York has essentially been a tourist spot. But now the area is being ransacked by a new species of cockroach hailing from Asia. While the Periplaneta japonica was never seen before on American soil, it seems it has arrived and is here to stay.
The fact that this hardy insect can easily survive through the winter means that New Yorkers will be facing a new pest in place of the old one. The American cockroach may be driven out of its habitat by this new Asian variety. And although it is not cause for undue alarm, the population is nevertheless showing concern over the arrival of the newcomer.
The way one species takes over the food supply and living space of another is how the dynamics of Nature work. It is a web of ecology that lies behind the food cycles. Competition and the struggle for existence shape the evolutionary drive where some make it while the others go extinct or move to greener pastures. The new species of cockroach probably came to New York’s shores via imported potted plants.
A feature of this novel critter is its ability to endure the outside harsh climate during snowy winters. This truly gives it entry into the list of pesky pests. And it won’t be able to mate with the local American cockroaches due to differences in genital structures between the species. Cockroaches have a history that is older than that of mankind on the earth. They are very resilient insects and can even survive radioactive fallout.