Mexican Kissing Bug vs Brown Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mexican Kissing Bug Brown Cockroach
Scientific Name Triatoma dimidiata Periplaneta brunnea
Order Hemiptera Blattodea
Family Reduviidae Blattidae
Size 24-32 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Blood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador Pantropical, southeastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Mexican Kissing Bug

A major Chagas disease vector in Central America and Mexico found in both domestic and peridomestic habitats. Adults are attracted to lights and can fly into homes.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few triatomine species that regularly invades homes by flying toward artificial lights.

Brown Cockroach

A glossy reddish-brown cockroach often confused with the American cockroach. It is slightly smaller with a more uniform color.

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Did You Know?

It glues its egg cases to surfaces rather than dropping them, unlike the American cockroach.