Roach, also known as a cockroach and water bug, are two distinct species of insects. However, the brownish colour of the two insects creates an element of confusion.
Key Takeaways
- Roaches are a type of insect, while waterbugs are aquatic insects belonging to the order Hemiptera.
- Roaches can infest homes and buildings, whereas waterbugs inhabit outdoor bodies of water.
- Roaches and waterbugs can be considered pests, but roaches are more likely to cause issues indoors.
Roach vs Water bug
Roaches are small insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies and long antennae. They are brown or black in color and have wings. they are found in warm, humid environments. Waterbugs are types of aquatic insects that are commonly found in bodies of water such as ponds, streams, and lakes.
A cockroach is an insect with a brownish colour. It belongs to the order Blattodea. Cockroaches have a round body shape. This insect is the most active at night time.
A water bug is an insect with a long and round body. It belongs to the order Hemiptera. They are aquatic insects and reside in wet sewers, basements, slow-moving pools, freshwater ponds, and marshes.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Roach | Water Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Roach is an insect species belonging to the order Blattodea. | Water bug is an insect species belonging to the order Hemiptera. |
| Size | ½ inches to 2 inches | 2 to 4 inches |
| Habitat | Cockroaches are terrestrial animals. | Water bugs are aquatic animals. |
| Life Expectancy | 110 to 200 days | up to 365 days |
| Body Shape | A roach has a round body shape, body and brownish color. | A water bug has a long, narrow, and round body. |
| Diet | A cockroach’s diet may include plant materials, decaying organic matter, meats, starch, sugar, oil, tadpoles, snails and the like. | A water bug’s diet may include tadpoles, small fish, snails, insects, amphibians, and crustaceans. |
| Antenna size | The size of a roach’s antenna is larger than that of a water bug. | The size of a water bug’s antenna is smaller than that of a roach. |
What is a Roach?
A roach, commonly called a cockroach, is an insect that belongs to the Blattodea classification. It has a round body shape, body and brownish colour.
Cockroaches don’t prefer hunting. Instead, they scavenge through the garbage. When it comes to temperament, cockroaches are shy.
Some food items of cockroaches include plant materials, decaying organic matter, meats, starch, sugar, oil, tadpoles, snails and the like.
Cockroaches are small in size. They put an individual at risk of E.coli, salmonellosis, and listeriosis. Cockroaches are prey insects and come out in the dark.
What is a Water Bug?
A water bug is an insect that belongs to the classification Hemiptera. They are 2 to 4 inches in size, which is larger as compared to that of cockroaches.
The life expectancy of a water bug is 365 days. They are aquatic insects and reside in wet sewers, basements, slow-moving pools, freshwater ponds, and marshes.
Water bugs are predators. They hunt for their prey. After paralysing their prey with a proboscis, they inject a power liquifying enzyme which enables them to suck out the insides of the insect.
Water bugs fly around large lights and in parking lots. Bright light attracts these insects. A water bug bite can cause side effects that include vomiting, fever, cramping, breathing difficulties, and swelling.
Main Differences Between Roach and Water Bug
- A roach’s life span ranges from 110 to 200 days. In contrast, a water bug’s life span can go up to 365 days.
- A cockroach’s diet may include plant materials, decaying organic matter, meats, starch, sugar, oil, tadpoles, snails and the like. On the other hand, the diet of a water bug includes tadpoles, small fish, snails, insects, amphibians, and crustaceans.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=R7eVRP08kasC&oi=fnd&pg=PP17&dq=cockroaches&ots=80ctfsJRpA&sig=fAN1ML90qDv8NSVyiOJBM2Wdsc0
- https://muse.jhu.edu/article/663671/summary
Last Updated : 19 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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I didn’t know water bugs could have such serious side effects from a bite. Very informative content.
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Thank you for the informative article. It helped me to understand the difference between roaches and water bugs.
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I agree, the diet differences were surprising. Great article.