Firebrat vs Death's Head Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Firebrat Death's Head Cockroach
Scientific Name Thermobia domestica Blaberus craniifer
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Lepismatidae Blaberidae
Size 10-15 mm 50-75mm
Habitat Indoors Caves
Diet Omnivores Fruit Feeders
Regions Worldwide Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Firebrat

A heat-loving relative of the silverfish that thrives at temperatures of 37-39C. Found near furnaces, boilers, and bakeries. One of the most thermophilic household insects.

💡

Did You Know?

Firebrats seek out the hottest spots in buildings — they have been found living happily inside commercial bread ovens and next to industrial furnaces at nearly 40C.

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.