Black Hissing Cockroach vs Dark Southern Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Hissing Cockroach Dark Southern Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Gromphadorhina picea Cryptotermes cavifrons
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blaberidae Kalotermitidae
Size 45-60 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Madagascar Southeastern United States, Caribbean
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

Dark Southern Drywood Termite

A native drywood termite of the southeastern United States and Caribbean. They infest hardwoods and are commonly found in dead tree branches and stumps.

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Did You Know?

Their soldiers use their uniquely roughened heads to block gallery entrances with a sandpaper-like grip.