Discoid Cockroach vs African Fruit Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Discoid Cockroach African Fruit Beetle
Scientific Name Blaberus discoidalis Pachnoda sinuata
Order Blattodea Coleoptera
Family Blaberidae Scarabaeidae
Size 35-45mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Caves Gardens
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Central America, South America Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Discoid Cockroach

A large flat cockroach with a distinctive discoid body shape and a dark chevron pattern on its pale pronotum. Adults have full wings but rarely fly. It is a common laboratory and feeder insect.

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Did You Know?

It is widely used in scientific research on insect locomotion because of its consistent running behavior on treadmills.

African Fruit Beetle

A common yellow and brown flower beetle frequently seen on ripe fruit. It is a familiar garden visitor across southern Africa.

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Did You Know?

They are sometimes considered orchard pests because large numbers can congregate on and damage ripe fruit crops.