Sand Cockroach vs Arabian Desert Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Cockroach Arabian Desert Grasshopper
Scientific Name Arenivaga investigata Sphingonotus rubescens
Order Blattodea Orthoptera
Family Corydiidae Acrididae
Size 15-25 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Africa, Middle East, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sand Cockroach

A desert cockroach that extracts water vapor from moist sand through special mouthparts.

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Did You Know?

It can absorb atmospheric water vapor at humidities as low as 83 percent.

Arabian Desert Grasshopper

A small, sandy-colored band-winged grasshopper found across North Africa and the Middle East. Its blue hindwings are visible only in flight.

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Did You Know?

It is so well camouflaged on sand that it is virtually invisible until it takes flight and flashes its blue wings.