Cockroach vs Beetle: Difference and Comparison

What is the difference between cockroaches and beetles (cockroach vs beetle)?

These insects scare most people, especially when one has to look through old pieces of stuff that have been packed for months or even years. I know spiders are one of the scariest of all insects but roaches and beetles also frighten adults.

If you are interested to know the difference between a cockroach and a beetle, then this post is for you.

Cockroaches and beetles are insects with similar appearance but belong to two different orders. Beetles belong to the Coleoptera Order, whereas cockroaches are members of the Blattaria Order.

Beetles and cockroaches can be found in every continent, except for Antarctica. Stay with us as we discuss the differences between cockroaches and beetles.

What Is a Cockroach?

A cockroach is a black or brown straight-winged insect of the order Blattaria. Currently, there are about 4,500 species of cockroaches, and about 30 species are associated with human habitats.

These insects are an ancient group dating back to the Carboniferous period. Their ancestors are known as ‘roachoids’ which originated over 300 million years ago.

Cockroaches are considered hardy insects that can live through a wide range of climates. They are capable of living in the Arctic region as well as in the tropical region.

The species of cockroach predominant in the tropical region is much larger than temperate species. Cockroaches and termites belong to a group called Blattodea.

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What Is a Beetle?

Beetles are insects that belong to the Order Coleoptera, with about 400,000 known species. Beetles are insects with a front pair of wings that are hardened into wing cases.

They have a unique appearance that makes them different from all other insects. Beetles in almost every habitat. These insects however do not live in the sea and Polar Regions

Beetles can interact with the ecosystem just fine, feeding on plants and fungi. They also feed on plant debris, other invertebrates, and animals.

These insects are considered agricultural pets, especially in the United States with the Colorado potato beetle. Other species of beetle such as Coccinellidae (ladybirds or ladybugs) usually eat thrips, scale insects, plant-sucking insects, and aphids.

Cockroach vs Beetle: Differences between Cockroach and Beetle

Beetles and cockroaches belong to two different orders and there are other key differences between them.

Body Shape

Firstly, let’s look at the body shape of these insects.

Every species of cockroach existing today has the same body shape. It’s usually narrow, flattened, and ovoid-shaped.

In contrast, beetles tend to have a thicker appearance compared to cockroaches. They are thicker specifically around the abdomen, making them a little harder to crush.

There are other species of beetle with stripes from their head to rear. Cockroaches do not have a thicker body but rather have a distinct colouring or full-body wings.

Beetles are a set of unique insects with a distant body shape. If you have seen a beetle up close, you will notice a gap between their head and thorax.

Cockroaches on the other hand have no gaps between their head and thorax. They have a hard shield known as a “pronotum” which covers the top of their heads.

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Movement

Now, let’s talk about the movement of these insects because they move differently.

If you have noticed, roaches are not fond of light because they are nocturnal. When you walk into a space, especially at night, and you turn the light, the cockroaches will scurry to the dark.

Cockroaches are faster to scurry into the dark and hide in tiny spaces. However, beetles are not as fast as roaches but they are not scared to crawl around with the lights on.

Beetles move slower compared to cockroaches when they see the light. This is one of the key differences between these two insects.

So if you wondering if what you saw was a cockroach or a beetle, remember how fast the insect moved.

Life Cycle

How long does it take for the eggs of these insects to mature into adults?

This is not a question for those who hate bugs. But for those who are interested to know if they have found a grub or an egg, let’s see what happens.

For beetles, they develop from grubs, while cockroaches hatch from eggs. Beetle grubs have a similar appearance to maggots or any other larval insect. You will find these beetle grubs rotting in vegetation outside.

On the other hand, roaches hatch are known as nymphs.

Cockroach vs Beetle: Comparison Chart

	Cockroach	Beetle
Definition	A cockroach is a black or brown straight winged insect of the order Blattaria.	Beetles are insects that belong to the Order Coleoptera, with about 400,000 known species.
Species	4,500 species	400,000 species
Size	Larger compared to a beetle	Smaller compared to a cockroach
Antenna	Very long and thin and constantly in motion	Relatively short and visible pincers like mouthparts
Life span	20 to 30 weeks	Callosbruchusmaculatus: 10 to 14 days. Eastern Hercules beetles 2 to 6 months
Origin	300 to 400 million years ago	295 million years ago

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Cockroach vs Beetle: More Key Differences

Cockroach	Beetle
Have incomplete cycles of metamorphosis.	Go through the complete cycle of metamorphosis
About 450 species	About 400,000 species
Have a hard upper body protecting them from external pressure	Don’t have a stiff upper body but can withstand pressure as well
Exist in a dirty atmosphere or dark places	Live in an open environment and can survive in dirty places
Have specific colours	Can be found in a wide range of colours ranging from red to yellow

Do Cockroaches Carry any Diseases?

Does this crawling and flying insect carry any diseases?

Well, cockroaches do not carry any kind of diseases like rodents or other wild animals. Rats can cause diseases since they are also found in homes like cockroaches.

However, cockroaches do carry bacteria and have an awful smell when they are crushed or killed. Roaches usually live in the kitchen, sewers, or dark places.

Damage Caused by Cockroaches

Cockroaches are insects that carry bacteria because they live in filthy places. They are mostly found in the kitchen, where they crawl over leftover foods. These insects can also contaminate your food when they come in contact with it.

Some of the viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted by roaches include staphylococcus, salmonella, and the polio virus.

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Damages Caused by Beetles

The most harmful part of this insect’s life cycle is the larvae. You may find the larvae in barns, homes, or anywhere there is a structure made of wood.

The wood boring beetle can live in wood for quite a number of years. it will be difficult for you to take care of any damage caused by this insect once you see a full-grown beetle in your home.

Conclusion

Beetles and cockroaches can be found on every continent, except for Antarctica. Cockroaches and beetles are insects with similar appearance but belong to two different orders.

Cockroaches are considered hardy insects that can live through a wide range of climates. Beetles can interact with the ecosystem just fine, feeding on plants and fungi.

We hope this article on cockroach vs beetle was helpful.

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References

A-Zanimals: Cockroach vs. Beetle: The 5 Key Differences
Wikipedia: Cockroach
Wikipedia: Beetle
24hpestpros: Cockroach vs Beetle – What’s the Difference & Identification
Differencewiki: Cockroach vs. Beetle
Askanydifference: Cockroach vs Beetle: Difference and Comparison

Cockroach vs Beetle: Difference and Comparison

What Is a Cockroach?

What Is a Beetle?