Peppered Cockroach vs Powderpost Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Peppered Cockroach Powderpost Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Archimandrita tesselata Cryptotermes domesticus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blaberidae Kalotermitidae
Size 70-100mm Workers 3-5 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Central America, South America Tropical Asia, Pacific Islands
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Peppered Cockroach

One of the largest cockroach species reaching up to 10cm. It has a peppered brown and cream pattern on its wings. It is docile and slow-moving, making it popular in insect displays.

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Did You Know?

At up to 10cm long, it is one of the world's largest cockroaches and is remarkably gentle and easy to handle.

Powderpost Drywood Termite

A destructive drywood termite that reduces wood to a fine powder. It is a major pest of wooden structures across tropical Asia.

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Did You Know?

Infested timber can appear intact on the surface while being completely hollow and powder-filled inside.