Madeira Cockroach vs High-altitude Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Madeira Cockroach High-altitude Midge
Scientific Name Leucophaea maderae Diamesa latitarsis
Order Blattodea Diptera
Family Blaberidae Chironomidae
Size 40-50mm 2-4 mm body length
Habitat Underground Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa, South America, North America Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Madeira Cockroach

A large pale brown cockroach that emits a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed. It cannot climb smooth surfaces. Originally from West Africa, it has become established in tropical regions worldwide.

💡

Did You Know?

It sprays a noxious defensive liquid from abdominal glands that smells terrible and stains skin.

High-altitude Midge

A small, dark midge whose larvae inhabit the coldest alpine streams. It has unusually broad tarsi adapted for walking on wet rocks.

💡

Did You Know?

Its broad feet allow it to grip wet rocks in fast-flowing glacial streams.