Sand Cockroach vs Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Cockroach Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach
Scientific Name Arenivaga investigata Parcoblatta pensylvanica
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Corydiidae Ectobiidae
Size 15-25 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Woodlands
Diet Detritivores Wood Feeders
Regions North America North America
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.

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.