QUESTACON are playing host to a new visitor, Lance the Giant Burrowing Cockroach.

He’s a native Australian bush cockroach, and his kind hail from North Queensland.

They are the heaviest cockroach species and are second only in body length to the Madagascan hissing cockroach.

In the wild Lance’s kin make burrows up to a metre underground and they can live for up to 10 years.

Lance and other Australian native cockroaches are considered to be valuable members of the ecosystem, eating leaves and detritus on the bush floor and keeping the soil healthy.

He’ll be on display for the next two weeks during the “Science Time: Autumn and Trees” program (along with some other decomposers like worms and snails).

(Bookings to http://www.questacon.edu.au/visiting/spectacular-science-show/science-time)

Lance will also be brought down on display during the insect presentation “Six Legged Freaks” next on this Thursday May 8 at 11am.

He will be on display occasionally during busy school holiday periods.

Lance is pictured here with Questacon Special Events Co-Ordinator Alison McGregor.