"Busan Is in Big Trouble"... One Cockroach Can Produce 350 Nymphs; Establishment Confirmed, Causing Alarm

The 'Middle Eastern cockroach' has established itself in Busan
Adults, nymphs and oothecae collected near Gamman Port
Possible introduction via ships and cargo... reproduction underway

An invasive cockroach species native to the Middle East and Central Asia has been confirmed to have established itself in Busan. Researchers are investigating the possibility that it arrived through the port and whether it has spread to nearby areas.

Yonhap News Agency reported on October 10, citing academic sources, that researchers from the Institute of Life Science at Pusan National University and the Department of Plant Medicine at Gyeongsang National University had identified the Turkestan cockroach (Periplaneta lateralis) near Gamman Port in Busan. Also known by the nickname "red runner," the species lives mainly in the Middle East and Central Asia and measures about 3 cm in length.

From November 2025 through June 2026, researchers conducted five field surveys and collected adults, nymphs, and egg cases. This is evidence that the species is reproducing in Korea's environment. Specimens were also found in an outdoor park near Gamman Port, so further surveys are needed to determine how far its habitat has expanded.

An invasive cockroach species native to the Middle East and Central Asia has been confirmed to have established itself in Busan. Yonhap News Agency.

Ships and cargo transport are suspected as possible routes by which the Turkestan cockroach arrived. Containers and logistics facilities are concentrated around Gamman Port, leading to the analysis that the species may have been introduced during cargo movement. Researchers say they cannot rule out the possibility that specimens arriving through the port have moved to other parts of Korea.

The species reaches adulthood in about 220 days, and is known to be highly prolific: a single female can produce about 350 nymphs. For this reason, it is also bred and distributed as food for reptiles and arthropods.

Busan's climate is another factor drawing attention. The average winter temperature in Busan under climate normals ranges from 3.6 to 5.8 degrees Celsius, relatively warmer than in other regions. Researchers suggested that the relatively stable conditions around Gamman Port may have helped the invasive species overwinter and establish itself.

The Turkestan cockroach is classified as an urban pest, and there are concerns that its habitat could expand if its rapid reproduction combines with the movement of goods. It could also affect the ecosystem by competing with native species for food and habitat. The native smokybrown cockroach has also been observed near Gamman Port.

Researchers stressed the need for integrated pest management that combines surveys and ongoing monitoring, removal of food sources, and bait-based control, rather than relying on excessive pesticide use. They also identified assessing the species' presence around the port and investigating its routes of introduction as priorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.