Division of Arthropods
open weekdays 8am - 5pm
visitors welcome by appointment
information for visitors
phone: (505) 277-1360
fax: (505) 277-1351
museum administrator
Desert Sand Cockroach
Desert Sand Cockroach (female). Photo by D.C.Lightfoot.
Desert Sand Cockroach (male). Photo by D.C.Lightfoot.
Hexapoda, Blattodea, Polyphagidae, Arenivaga erratica
Description: Adult females are medium, brown, and round insects, similar to a thick penny, fuzzy, and no wings, and short legs and antennae. Adult males are medium pale tan insects with a flattened body and long wings and antennae. Immatures look like small adult females. Another common native sand roach occurs in New Mexico and looks very similar.
Geographic Distribution: Throughout southern New Mexico. Native.
Habitats: Entirely outdoors in sandy soil. Not known to live indoors. Winged males often fly to lights at night, and may enter houses but will not live indoors.
Biology: Adults occur in the summer, and immature stages maybe found in the soil throughout the year.
Health/pest Status: Desert sand roaches are not pests.