An unusual neighbourhood dispute in Hangzhou, China, has gone viral after a man accidentally killed his neighbour’s beloved pet mantis with insecticide, believing it was a cockroach. The incident has highlighted the growing trend of keeping exotic insects as pets, while sparking debate online about responsibility and pet ownership.
According to Jimu News, a resident identified as Yang spotted what he thought was a cockroach near his apartment door and immediately sprayed it with insecticide. Unbeknownst to him, the insect was actually his neighbour Xiao Meng’s prized pet mantis, kept in a plastic box with a lid. The misunderstanding quickly escalated into a heated argument between the two residents.
Police were called to mediate the conflict, and after assessing the situation, Yang agreed to compensate Xiao Meng 400 yuan (approximately S$75) for the loss of the pet. Both parties eventually reached an amicable settlement, but the bizarre nature of the incident caught the attention of local and international media.
Experts: Keeping Mantises and Cockroaches as Pets Not Uncommon
A pet shop owner interviewed by reporters confirmed the insect in question was a mantis, not a cockroach, adding that “if you like it, even ants can be pets.” Meanwhile, Wang, a researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau, noted that keeping mantises, and even cockroaches, as pets has become more common in recent years. He explained that these “exotic pets” have been popular for at least two decades, attracting enthusiasts who prefer alternatives to traditional cats and dogs.
Xiao Meng’s pet, specifically identified as a Devil’s Flower Mantis, is a species commonly kept by insect hobbyists and originates from Africa. Wang emphasised that most mantises sold as pets in China are foreign species not included in China’s national list of protected wildlife or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), making their ownership legal.
Online Sales of Cockroach Pets Raise Public Health Concerns
Reports also revealed that numerous vendors on Chinese e-commerce platforms openly sell pet cockroaches, including species like the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, Blaberus giganteus, and Dubia roaches. Experts warned, however, that common household pests such as the German cockroach and American cockroach — both invasive species known for spreading bacteria and disease — pose health risks if kept as pets due to their ability to multiply rapidly and contaminate human environments.
Wang pointed out that while many cockroach species play important roles in nature as decomposers, owners of pet insects must provide controlled habitats replicating their original climate, humidity, and temperature. Otherwise, these insects are unlikely to survive, especially in cooler regions like Zhejiang. He added that insects generally pose far lower risks of zoonotic diseases than mammals, and are unlikely to attack humans, making them relatively safe pets when properly kept.