Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach vs Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Parcoblatta pensylvanica Cryptotermes dudleyi
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Ectobiidae Kalotermitidae
Size 15-25 mm Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Pantropical (Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands)
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

💡

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.

Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite

A pantropical drywood termite that infests dead wood and structural timber. Soldiers have a distinctive rough, phragmotic head used to block nest tunnels.

💡

Did You Know?

Soldiers use their plug-shaped heads to physically block tunnel entrances, preventing ant invasions.