Cane Cockroach vs Excavated Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cane Cockroach Excavated Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Methana marginalis Omalium excavatum
Order Blattodea Coleoptera
Family Blattidae Staphylinidae
Size 25-35 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Fruit Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cane Cockroach

A dark brown native cockroach commonly found in cane fields and tropical gardens. It has a distinctive pale margin along the edges of its pronotum.

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Did You Know?

Despite its name, it is a native Australian species and not an agricultural pest.

Excavated Rove Beetle

A small, brownish omaline rove beetle with distinctive excavations on the pronotum. It frequents decaying vegetation and is particularly associated with compost heaps and grass clippings.

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Did You Know?

This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.