Square-spot Rustic vs Desert Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Square-spot Rustic | Desert Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xestia xanthographa | Arenivaga bolliana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Noctuidae | Corydiidae |
| Size | 32-38 mm wingspan | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Square-spot Rustic
An extremely common autumn-flying moth with a diagnostic square stigma on the forewing. One of the most abundant moths in British gardens. Larvae feed on grasses.
Did You Know?
Often the single most abundant moth species in garden moth traps during September.
Desert Cockroach
A sand-dwelling cockroach native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico. It spends most of its life buried in sand, emerging at night to forage.
Did You Know?
Males fly to lights at night during mating season, but females are permanently wingless and never leave the sand.