German cockroach vs Turkestan cockroach
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a German cockroach from a Turkestan cockroach, and whether either one bites or stings.
German cockroach
Blattella germanica
Turkestan cockroach
Shelfordella lateralis
≠The key differences
German cockroaches are slightly smaller, paler with two dark parallel streaks on the pronotum, and are more likely to be established indoors (kitchen, bathrooms).
⚖︎Side by side
| German cockroach | Turkestan cockroach | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Allergen carrier | Non-toxic |
| Size | 12-16 mm body length | 18-25 mm long |
| Colours | Light brown, Dark brown, Pale cream (underside) | Tan, Light brown, Reddish brown, Dark brown |
| Family | Ectobiidae | Blattidae |
| Habitat | Human dwellings: kitchens, bathrooms, behind appliances, inside cabinets, wall and floor voids, near plumbing and heat sources | Sheltered outdoor sites: water meter and irrigation boxes, cracks in concrete, hollow block walls, mulch, leaf litter and around foundations; will enter buildings. |
| Range | Worldwide in temperate and tropical regions as a human commensal | Native to Central Asia and the Middle East; established in the southern and especially southwestern United States and other warm regions |
| Active | Primarily nocturnal; most active at night year-round in heated buildings | Year-round in warm climates; most active in warm months and at night |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot a German cockroach
- Small size (12-16 mm) and light brown colour with two dark parallel stripes on the pronotum
- Nocturnal behaviour; typically seen running, not flying, and hiding in cracks and behind appliances
- Both sexes have wings but poor flight; males are slightly more slender
- Nymphs are wingless and darker when newly hatched, becoming browner with molts
🔍How to spot a Turkestan cockroach
- Size 18-25 mm; smaller than many household roaches like the American cockroach
- Males slender and tan with full, cream-edged wings; females dark brown to black with short wing pads and short cream side stripes
- Strong contrast between pale males and dark females found together
- Fast-moving and commonly found outdoors in mulch, leaf litter and near foundations rather than deep inside homes
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a German cockroach and a Turkestan cockroach?
German cockroaches are slightly smaller, paler with two dark parallel streaks on the pronotum, and are more likely to be established indoors (kitchen, bathrooms).
Is a German cockroach or a Turkestan cockroach more dangerous?
German cockroach: Allergen carrier. Turkestan cockroach: Non-toxic. German cockroaches do not bite or sting and are not venomous, but they contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria and allergens from droppings and shed skins. Turkestan cockroaches do not bite or produce venom.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.