Pill Cockroach vs Desert Amitermes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pill Cockroach | Desert Amitermes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Perisphaerus pygmaeus | Amitermes wheeleri |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Blaberidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Asia | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Pill Cockroach
A tiny cockroach that rolls into a perfect ball like a pillbug when threatened.
Did You Know?
Nymphs cling to the mother and feed on secretions from her body surface.
Desert Amitermes
A desert-adapted termite found in the arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Colonies build subterranean nests and forage on dead plant material. Workers seal foraging holes with soil during the heat of the day.
Did You Know?
This species is one of the few termites adapted to extreme desert conditions, foraging on the surface at night when temperatures drop and humidity rises.