Black Periplaneta Cockroach vs Smokybrown Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Periplaneta Cockroach Smokybrown Cockroach
Scientific Name Periplaneta atra Periplaneta fuliginosa
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blattidae Blattidae
Size 25-35 mm 25-38 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions West and Central Africa Asia, North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Black Periplaneta Cockroach

A dark black cockroach from tropical Africa with a shiny exoskeleton. It is less commonly encountered than its cosmopolitan relatives.

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Did You Know?

Its uniformly jet-black coloring distinguishes it from all other Periplaneta species.

Smokybrown Cockroach

A uniformly dark mahogany-brown cockroach that is an excellent flier and strongly attracted to lights at night. It requires high humidity to survive.

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Did You Know?

Smokybrown cockroaches are strong fliers attracted to light and are frequently found buzzing around porch lights on warm summer evenings.