Yellow Hornet vs Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Hornet Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach
Scientific Name Vespa simillima Parcoblatta pensylvanica
Order Hymenoptera Blattodea
Family Vespidae Ectobiidae
Size 21-28 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Hornet

Known as 'ke-buchi-suzumebachi' in Japanese, a common hornet in Japan and Korea. Builds large paper nests in trees and under eaves. Less aggressive than the giant hornet but still capable of painful stings.

💡

Did You Know?

This species is responsible for more wasp stings in Japan than any other species because it frequently builds nests near human habitations.

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

A native North American cockroach that lives outdoors in forests and woodlands. Males are strong fliers attracted to lights, while females are nearly wingless.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike pest cockroaches, wood roaches do not infest homes and will actually die within a few days if trapped indoors due to insufficient humidity.