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Largest Cockroach

Nearly 20 cockroach species are considered giant. Of these, the most common are the giant hissing cockroach and the rhinoceros cockroach.

Giant hissing cockroaches are wingless, sanitary, odorless and slow. These nocturnal natives of Madagascar thrive on forest floors in rotting logs and feed on decaying organic matter. The giant hissing cockroach grows up to three inches in length from horn to antennae and can measure up to one inch wide. Unlike other species, the female giant hissing cockroach gives birth to live young. Males are aggressive and use their horns in combat. The hissing which characterizes this species is used in defense, mating, colony hierarchy and communication.

Rhinoceros cockroaches, also known as giant burrowing cockroaches or litterbugs, are wingless, glossy, dark brown and stout-bodied. These cockroaches weigh more than 30 grams each and can exceed three inches in length. Native to Queensland, Australia, this species lives in deep burrows within the ground and consumes primarily dead leaves. They reproduce only once a year and also give birth to live young. Female rhinoceros cockroaches exhibit maternal care, protecting and raising their young for up to two years.

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