Desert Cockroach vs Dwarf Hisser

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Cockroach Dwarf Hisser
Scientific Name Arenivaga bolliana Elliptorhina javanica
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Corydiidae Blaberidae
Size 15-22 mm 40-50 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Root Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions North America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Desert Cockroach

A sand-dwelling cockroach native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico. It spends most of its life buried in sand, emerging at night to forage.

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Did You Know?

Males fly to lights at night during mating season, but females are permanently wingless and never leave the sand.

Dwarf Hisser

A smaller hissing cockroach species with a smooth pronotum. It is a popular species in the pet trade.

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Did You Know?

Despite its scientific name suggesting a Javanese origin, it is actually native to Madagascar.