[3][4] It can be distinguished from other related species by its abdominal morphology and the shape of its cerci.

[1] The species feeds on rotting wood and leaf litter, and has micro-organisms in its digestive system to help break down cellulose.

[5] While once widespread across the archipelago, it was removed from Lord Howe Island proper by rats introduced in 1918, and none had been found for over 80 years.

[1][5] The species is classified as "Endangered" under the New South Wales Threatened Species Act, and a plan exists to eventually reintroduce a population to Lord Howe Island.

[6] Panesthia lata was first described in 1868 by Francis Walker in his "Catalogue of the specimens of Blattariæ in the collection of the British Museum".