What’s the scientific name for the biggest cockroach?

The scientific name for the biggest cockroach is Macropanesthia rhinoceros, also known as the giant burrowing cockroach or rhinoceros cockroach.

About the Giant Burrowing Cockroach

• Found mainly in Australia.
• It is the heaviest cockroach in the world, weighing up to 30–35 grams.
• Its length can reach 7–8 centimeters.
• Despite its large size, it does not have wings and cannot fly.

Characteristics

• Color: Dark brown, glossy body.
• Habitat: Lives in burrows underground, unlike common cockroaches that live in houses.
• Diet: Feeds mostly on dead leaves, making it useful for recycling nutrients in the soil.
• Lifespan: Can live for up to 10 years, which is very long compared to other cockroach species.

Difference from Common Cockroaches

• Common house cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is smaller, about 3–4 cm, and can fly.
• Macropanesthia rhinoceros is much heavier, larger, and wingless.
• While common cockroaches are pests, the giant burrowing cockroach is harmless to humans and is not considered a pest.

Interesting Facts

• Sometimes kept as pets in Australia because they are clean, do not smell, and are easy to maintain.
• They are important for the ecosystem since they help decompose plant material.
• Called “rhinoceros cockroach” because of its strong, armored body.

Conclusion: The scientific name of the biggest cockroach is Macropanesthia rhinoceros, found in Australia. It is harmless, wingless, and the heaviest cockroach species in the world.