Discoid Cockroach vs Mitchell's Diurnal Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Discoid Cockroach | Mitchell's Diurnal Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Blaberus discoidalis | Polyzosteria mitchelli |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Blaberidae | Blattidae |
| Size | 35-45mm | 30-40 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Australia |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is widely used in scientific research on insect locomotion because of its consistent running behavior on treadmills.
Mitchell's Diurnal Cockroach
A large, flightless cockroach with a shiny dark blue-black body found in arid Australia. Unlike most cockroaches, it is active during the day.
Did You Know?
Its bold daytime activity is thought to be possible because its dark, hard body deters predators.