Death's Head Cockroach vs Apple Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Death's Head Cockroach | Apple Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Blaberus craniifer | Hoplocampa testudinea |
| Order | Blattodea | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Blaberidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 50-75mm | 6-7 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Orchards |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Death's Head Cockroach
A large cockroach with a distinctive skull-like marking on its pronotum. It is a popular feeder insect and pet species. When disturbed it can produce a loud hissing sound by expelling air.
Did You Know?
The dark marking on its thorax closely resembles a human skull or vampire face, inspiring its morbid common name.
Apple Sawfly
A small brown-and-yellow sawfly that is a significant pest of apple orchards. Larvae bore into developing apples, leaving characteristic ribbon-like scars on the fruit surface.
Did You Know?
A single larva can destroy three to four developing fruits by boring through them, leaving a trail of frass-filled tunnels.