Finding bugs in your home can be unsettling, especially if you spot something that looks like a cockroach skittering across the floor. However, there are many insects that are commonly mistaken for roaches. Understanding what these lookalike bugs are can provide peace of mind and help you determine if you really have a roach problem that needs addressing.
What are some things commonly mistaken for roaches?
Here are some of the most common roach lookalikes:
- Beetles
- Crickets
- Silverfish
- Earwigs
- Water bugs
- Palmetto bugs
While they may look similar at first glance, each of these insects can be differentiated from roaches by examining a few key characteristics.
Beetles
Beetles are one of the most diverse groups of insects with over 350,000 identified species. Many beetles have elongated, flattened bodies that can appear cockroach-like when scurrying across the floor. However, beetles can be distinguished by their hardened wing covers that meet in a straight line down the back. The wings of cockroaches lie flat and do not have the thickened coverings.
Beetles also have chewing mouthparts, while roaches have mouths designed for lapping and chewing. Look for the chewing mandibles on a beetle. Most roaches in homes do not have large mandibles.
Common household beetles that may be mistaken for roaches include:
- Flour beetles
- Death watch beetles
- Drugstore beetles
- Ground beetles
- Scarab beetles
If the insect you find has wings that meet in a straight line down the back and chewing mouthparts, it is likely some type of beetle rather than a cockroach.
Table 1: Differences between Roaches and Beetles
| Roaches | Beetles |
|---|---|
| Flattened bodies | Flattened bodies |
| Wings lie flat | Hardened wing covers meet in straight line down back |
| Lapping/chewing mouthparts | Chewing mandibles |
Crickets
Crickets are another insect that is often mistaken for roaches. They have long, spindly antennae and oval-shaped bodies like cockroaches. However, crickets can be identified by their large hind legs designed for jumping. Roaches do not have thick hind legs.
Crickets also have wings that lay flat, while cockroach wings fold vertically at rest. The wings on a cricket are also longer than the body, extending past the abdomen. Check for oversized wings to differentiate a cricket from a roach.
There are many species of crickets, but common house-invading varieties include:
- Camel crickets
- Field crickets
- House crickets
- Mole crickets
If the insect is hopping rather than running and has long wings, it is likely a cricket and not a problematic cockroach in the home.
Table 2: Differences between Roaches and Crickets
| Roaches | Crickets |
|---|---|
| Do not jump (relies on running/crawling) | Enlarged hind legs for jumping |
| Wings fold vertically over abdomen | Wings lay flat and extend beyond abdomen |
Silverfish
Silverfish are strange-looking, scuttling insects that lack wings and are covered in metallic-looking scales. They move rapidly and may first be mistaken for tiny roaches.
However, upon closer inspection silverfish can be differentiated by their tapered, fish-shaped bodies and long antennae. Cockroaches have much stockier, oval-shaped bodies in comparison. Silverfish also have reduced eyes and lack wings entirely.
Pay attention to body shape and the presence of scales when determining if the pest is a silverfish rather than a baby roach. Common areas to find silverfish include bathtubs, sinks, basements and attics.
Table 3: Differences between Roaches and Silverfish
| Roaches | Silverfish |
|---|---|
| Oval-shaped bodies | Tapered, fish-shaped bodies |
| Hardened wings on adults | No wings |
| No scales | Covered in metallic-looking scales |
Earwigs
Earwigs are another common roach lookalike. They have elongated bodies and short pincers protruding from their abdomens. The pincers may mistakenly give them a cockroach-like appearance.
However, earwigs can be identified by their beaded rather than threadlike antennae. Roaches have long, threadlike antennae whereas earwigs have blunt antennae. Earwigs also have shorter forewings than cockroaches. The forewings on an earwig only cover 2/3 of the abdomen at most.
Key points for identification include antennae type and forewing length. The common house-invading earwig is the European earwig. Look for them under rocks, mulch, potted plants and in crawl spaces.
Table 4: Differences between Roaches and Earwigs
| Roaches | Earwigs |
|---|---|
| Threadlike antennae | Beaded, clubbed antennae |
| Long forewings cover entire abdomen | Short forewings cover 2/3 or less of abdomen |
Water Bugs
One of the most common lookalikes is water bugs, which are often mistaken for large cockroaches. However, there are a few key characteristics that set them apart.
Water bugs have an oval-shaped flattened bodies like roaches. But they also have distinctive claw-like protrusions at the front of their heads. Their bodies are also broader and flatter than most cockroaches.
Water bugs also have legs designed for swimming, with shorter tarsi and swimming hairs. Cockroach legs are built for running over surfaces. So if the bug has shorter legs that appear designed for water rather than land, with claw-like front appendages, it is likely some type of water bug. Common household water bugs include the oriental cockroach and brown-banded cockroach.
Table 5: Differences between Roaches and Water Bugs
| Roaches | Water Bugs |
|---|---|
| No claw-like head protrusions | Claw-like frontal appendages |
| Legs designed for land-running | Short swimming legs with swimming hairs |
Palmetto Bugs
Palmetto bugs are one of the most notorious roach lookalikes. They are essentially a type of American cockroach found in the Southeast United States. For this reason they look nearly identical to cockroaches in shape, size, color and wings.
The only way to really tell them apart is by geography. If found in the Southeast region of the U.S., it is likely a palmetto bug rather than a true roach. Anywhere else in the country an American cockroach can be confidently identified.
But palmetto bugs are essentially the same species, just with a different regional name. Avoiding the confusion involves taking note of location.
Table 6. Differences between Cockroaches and Palmetto Bugs
| Cockroaches | Palmetto Bugs |
|---|---|
| Found throughout U.S. | Primarily in Southeastern states |
| Called American cockroaches | Called palmetto bugs |
Conclusion
While several insects may look like roaches at first glance, each impostor has definitive characteristics that sets them apart from true roaches. Paying attention to details like wings, legs, antennae and geography can help correctly identify the invader.
Accurately determining if the pest is a cockroach rather than an impostor is important for assessing if professional control is required or if simply removing the stray bug is sufficient. Being able to differentiate is key to targeting appropriate control efforts.
