Mole Cricket with Four Dots vs Desert Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mole Cricket with Four Dots | Desert Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus | Arenivaga bolliana |
| Order | Orthoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Gryllidae | Corydiidae |
| Size | 19-25 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States, South America, Caribbean | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mole Cricket with Four Dots
A short-winged mole cricket-like species from South America that has invaded the southeastern United States. Despite its small size it can damage turf grasses.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mole crickets, its shortened wings mean it is flightless and can only spread by walking through the soil.
Desert Cockroach
A sand-dwelling cockroach native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico. It spends most of its life buried in sand, emerging at night to forage.
Did You Know?
Males fly to lights at night during mating season, but females are permanently wingless and never leave the sand.