New Study Reveals Origin Of Maltese Cockroach & 2 New Species

A new study has provided the most detailed account yet of cockroach species in the Maltese Islands, uncovering both their origins and the discovery of two species not previously recorded in Malta.

The research, carried out by Maltese entomologist and pest expert Arnold Sciberras, is entitled On the Origin of Cockroaches of the Maltese Islands and explores how these insects arrived and adapted over time.

Sciberras’ work traces cockroach history from fossil evidence through to modern records, showing both natural dispersal and introductions linked to human activity.

Among the study’s key findings is the identification of two species new to Malta: the Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) and the Tawny cockroach (Ectobius pallidus).

The Asian cockroach is a significant household pest, known for its strong flying ability and attraction to light. Although it resembles the common German cockroach, it behaves differently and poses new challenges for pest control.

By contrast, the Tawny cockroach is a Mediterranean native, living mainly in outdoor habitats such as grasslands and shrublands, and is not usually found indoors.

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