Woodlouse Cockroach vs Demon Charaxes

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Woodlouse Cockroach Demon Charaxes
Scientific Name Prosoplecta semperi Charaxes lucretius
Order Blattodea Lepidoptera
Family Ectobiidae Nymphalidae
Size 5-8mm 70-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Asia Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Woodlouse Cockroach

A tiny rounded cockroach that strongly resembles a ladybird beetle with its domed shape and red-orange coloring with black spots. It is a harmless forest floor species. Its mimicry deters predators.

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Did You Know?

It so closely resembles a ladybird that even entomologists can be fooled until they look at it under magnification.

Demon Charaxes

A large forest Charaxes with deep black upperside marked with blue iridescence in males. Females are larger and browner. The underside has intricate leaf-like patterning providing excellent camouflage.

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Did You Know?

When resting with wings closed, this butterfly is almost invisible against the bark of forest trees thanks to its cryptic underside.