New Species of Glow-in-the-Dark Cockroach

FAIRFAX, Va. (May 24, 2013) – As if cockroaches weren’t already creepy enough, researchers recently discovered a new species in Ecuador with a luminescent exoskeleton. Identified as one of the top 10 new animal species of 2012, this glow-in-the-dark cockroach appears to mimic the toxic click beetle, which uses its luminescent trait to ward off predators.

The new cockroach species was identified from a 70-year-old specimen and may be endangered or even extinct. More than a dozen other species of glowing cockroaches have been found since 1999, but all have been identified in secluded areas, making the chance of one scurrying across the kitchen floor extremely low.

While it likely wouldn’t be hard to miss a glowing cockroach, it’s not always as easy to spot more common species in the house. To prevent cockroaches from taking up residence in the home, be sure to regularly dispose of garbage, and keep basements and crawlspaces well ventilated and dry.