Sun lover

Cockroaches aren't usually associated with sunbaking, however cockroaches in the genus Elipsidion are renowned for basking in the sun during the day. They are spectacular cockroaches with vivid markings, some even have transparent window-like areas in the pronotum. I photographed this specimen soaking up the rays in the dryer country west of Kuranda. It is a young specimen (a nymph), and will have fully functional wings once it matures. These cockroaches inhabit the foliage of various plant species, and most likely feed upon pollen, honeydew and fungi.