Australian Cockroach vs Hop-Garden Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Cockroach Hop-Garden Earwig
Scientific Name Periplaneta australasiae Forficula lesnei
Order Blattodea Dermaptera
Family Blattidae Forficulidae
Size 23-35 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Underground Gardens
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Oceania, Asia, Africa, South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Cockroach

A large tropical cockroach similar to the American cockroach but with distinctive yellow markings on the pronotum and wing edges. It is a strong flier.

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Did You Know?

Despite its name, the Australian cockroach is believed to have originated in tropical Africa and spread worldwide through maritime trade.

Hop-Garden Earwig

A small earwig closely related to the European earwig but distinguished by its shorter wing cases. It is found in southern European gardens and orchards.

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Did You Know?

This species was long confused with the European earwig and was only recognized as distinct in the early twentieth century.