South American Giant Diving Beetle vs American Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Giant Diving Beetle | American Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megadytes ducalis | Periplaneta americana |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Dytiscidae | Blattidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm | 35-53 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Brazil, Amazon Basin | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Giant Diving Beetle
One of the largest diving beetles in South America with a glossy dark olive body. It inhabits large rivers and lakes of the Amazon basin.
Did You Know?
It is among the largest dytiscid beetles in the Western Hemisphere.
American Cockroach
Despite its name, native to Africa. One of the largest common cockroaches. Can run at 5.4 km/h — proportionally, one of the fastest land insects. Can survive weeks without its head.
Did You Know?
A cockroach can live for a week without its head — it breathes through spiracles on its body and only dies because it cannot drink water.