Turkestan Cockroach vs Shore Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Turkestan Cockroach Shore Earwig
Scientific Name Shelfordella lateralis Anisolabis littorea
Order Blattodea Dermaptera
Family Blattidae Anisolabididae
Size 20-30 mm 20-28 mm
Habitat Underground Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Asia, North America, Europe Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Shore Earwig

A large wingless earwig native to New Zealand, found under stones and driftwood on rocky coasts. It has a shiny black body and stout cerci.

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Did You Know?

This earwig is highly adapted to coastal life and can survive being submerged by waves during high tide.