The Scariest Cockroaches on Earth: Giant Burrowing & More (PHOTOS)

From the heaviest roach to the longest to the loudest, here’s a list of bugs to avoid this summer.

Clockwise from top left: Getty; AFP; CC; CC

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/cockroaches-naples-italy-nadeau_ub1zuy — Millions of big red roaches have invaded Naples this summer, inviting themselves to dinner tables and scampering along the streets. If that wasn’t enough to make your skin crawl, we’ve compiled a list of the world’s biggest, scariest cockroaches. From the heaviest roach to the longest to the loudest, here’s a list of bugs to avoid this summer.
Ken Lucas, Visuals Unlimited, Inc. / Getty Images

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-rhinocerous_kwsbsl — Also known as the rhinoceros cockroach, this Australian bug comes in at around 8 centimeters long and weighs a whopping 35 grams. That may not sound like much, but it’s the heaviest roach in the world.
Torsten Blackwood, AFP / Getty Images

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-giant-cave-roach_ccsqcs — Found in Central and South America, the giant cave roach is one of the longest cockroaches, measuring 9 centimeters in length. True to its name, it tends to stick to caves and the insides of logs in the tropical rainforest.
Visuals Unlimited / Corbis

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-madagascar-hissing-roach_zeihct — These guys are from—you guessed it—Madagascar. The insects, which can grow up to 7.5 centimeters long, hiss by forcing air through breathing holes on their bodies. The noise comes in three forms, with specific variations to express surprise, aggression, and even flirtation.
Pornchai Kittiwongsakul, AFP / Getty Images

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-discoid-roach_xvlsfg — Slightly bigger than the Madagascar hissing cockroach at 7.6 centimeters long, these roaches don’t climb smooth surfaces or fly. Indeed, they’re notable for being easy pets and popular among the cockroach-enthusiast crowd. We’ll pass.
Daly & Newton / Getty Images

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-common-shining-roach_ctrnni — Though it’s the smallest on our list, the giant shining cockroach is still a respectable 5 centimeters long. Though it is known in its native Australia as a domestic annoyance, it’s actually much more sanitary than other species and even can be beneficial to gardens—as long as it stays outside.

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-longipennis_njdhjj — Yes, you read that right. This species is most notable for having one of the largest roach wingspans, measuring in at 18.5 centimeters, or more than 7 inches. But that’s not all it’s known for: one of its species has been named the longest cockroach in the world at 9.8 centimeters long, or almost 4 inches!
Philogène Wytsman

galleries/2012/07/12/the-scariest-cockroaches-on-earth-giant-burrowing-more-photos/giant-roaches-deaths-head_qrbofz — This Central American native measures up to 60 centimeters long and has begun to spread to Florida. Its spooky name comes from the spot near its head, which may look like a skull. But don’t worry; it won’t bite.
Simon Eugster / Wikimedia Commons

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