Turkestan Cockroach vs Lesser Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Turkestan Cockroach Lesser Cockroach
Scientific Name Shelfordella lateralis Ectobius panzeri
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blattidae Ectobiidae
Size 20-30 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Asia, North America, Europe Europe (Britain to eastern Mediterranean)
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Turkestan Cockroach

A medium-sized cockroach originally from Central Asia that is rapidly displacing the oriental cockroach in many urban areas. Males are slender with tan wings while females are dark and wingless.

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Did You Know?

The Turkestan cockroach has become the most common outdoor cockroach in the southwestern United States, having largely outcompeted the oriental cockroach in just a few decades.

Lesser Cockroach

A small dark cockroach found in heathlands and open habitats across Europe. It is active during warm summer months.

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Did You Know?

It overwinters as an egg case (ootheca) buried in soil, hatching only when spring temperatures rise.