The Australian cockroach genus Laxta Walker (Dictyoptera : Blattaria : Blaberidae)

Abstract

Diagnostic characters are given for the ovoviviparous cockroach genus Laxta Walker, which is most closely related to Neolaxta Mackerras. The genus is principally Australian, but two (unnamed) species occur in New Guinea. There are at least 13 Australian species, of which 11 new taxa are described. Laxta pallida (Brunner) is synonymised with L. granicollis (Brunner). A key is provided to distinguish the males.