Arid-land Subterranean Termite vs Black Hissing Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arid-land Subterranean Termite Black Hissing Cockroach
Scientific Name Reticulitermes tibialis Gromphadorhina picea
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Rhinotermitidae Blaberidae
Size Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm 45-60 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Western and central United States Madagascar
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Arid-land Subterranean Termite

A subterranean termite adapted to dry conditions in the western United States. It builds mud tubes across exposed surfaces to maintain humidity.

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Did You Know?

It thrives in desert conditions where annual rainfall is less than 250 mm by deeply tapping soil moisture.

Black Hissing Cockroach

A smaller species of hissing cockroach with a uniformly dark brown to black coloration and less prominent pronotal bumps compared to other Gromphadorhina species.

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Did You Know?

Its Latin name 'picea' means pitch-black, describing its distinctively dark coloration compared to its congeners.