Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach vs Indian White Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach Indian White Termite
Scientific Name Parcoblatta pensylvanica Odontotermes horni
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Ectobiidae Termitidae
Size 15-25 mm 4-8 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions North America India, Sri Lanka
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

A native North American cockroach that lives outdoors in forests and woodlands. Males are strong fliers attracted to lights, while females are nearly wingless.

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Did You Know?

Unlike pest cockroaches, wood roaches do not infest homes and will actually die within a few days if trapped indoors due to insufficient humidity.

Indian White Termite

A fungus-cultivating termite common in the forests and agricultural areas of the Indian subcontinent. Colonies build subterranean nests with fungus gardens. Workers are pale white and forage beneath covered runways on the soil surface.

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Did You Know?

The Termitomyces mushrooms that fruit from this species' fungus gardens are among the largest edible mushrooms in the world, with caps up to 1 meter wide.