Australian authorities have made a historic seizure of over 100,000 illegal cockroaches, including Madagascar hissing and dubia species, from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales. This operation, conducted in May, represents the largest confiscation of exotic invertebrates in the country, valued at approximately 200,000 Australian dollars (around $198,000 CAD). The Madagascar hissing cockroach, one of the largest in the world, poses a potential threat to local ecosystems, as it has not undergone environmental risk assessments and could spread diseases or harm native wildlife. Australia maintains stringent biosecurity measures to protect its agriculture and biodiversity from invasive species. Officials have urged pet owners to consider alternative food sources for reptiles, such as crickets, rather than these illegal cockroaches. Although no charges have been filed against the breeder at this time, authorities have indicated that legal actions may be pursued against individuals caught smuggling illegal species in the future. The confiscated cockroaches will be euthanized as part of the biosecurity protocol.