American Cockroach vs Protermes Inquiline Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Cockroach | Protermes Inquiline Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Periplaneta americana | Protermes prorepens |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Blattidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 35-53 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | East Africa, Southern Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Cockroach
Despite its name, native to Africa. One of the largest common cockroaches. Can run at 5.4 km/h — proportionally, one of the fastest land insects. Can survive weeks without its head.
Did You Know?
A cockroach can live for a week without its head — it breathes through spiracles on its body and only dies because it cannot drink water.
Protermes Inquiline Termite
A small inquiline termite that lives within the mounds of larger fungus-growing termite species in Africa. Colonies are tiny and discrete, occupying small chambers within the walls of the host mound. Workers feed on fungal material.
Did You Know?
Inquiline termites like this species are the cuckoos of the termite world, sneaking into other species' elaborate mounds to exploit their resources.