What is the difference between Roaches and Water Bugs?

Roaches are a type of insect that we refer to as a pest, and there are eight groups of roaches, but only four species have become incessant pests. The most important quality of roaches is their ability to endure mass extinctions. Roaches have never failed to survive. These insects have large compound eyes and two long antennae. Water bugs, on the other hand, stay in their safe habitat of water. There are fossils to prove that these tiny creatures have been around for 250 million years. They live in freshwaters, and they are typically omnivorous insects. They consume plant matter, and they also prey upon small vertebrates and small larvae of amphibians.

Roaches and water bugs might share a lot of things in common, but they are two different insects. One of the ways to differentiate the two insects is by comparing their habitats. Water bugs are aquatic insects, meaning they are found mostly in water, most especially freshwater. On the other hand, roaches are also insects, but they are active mostly at night, which is why they are called nocturnal insects. When you compare their physical features, they might look similar in that their bodies can be rounded or flat. However, you will start noticing some of their physical differences when you compare their antennas. The antennas of roaches are relatively longer than that of water bugs. Unlike roaches that like to associate with other cockroaches or roaches, water bugs like to isolate themselves from others. However, water bugs meet with other water bugs when it is time to mate. Unlike roaches, water bugs are predators.

Roaches and water bugs are known to be different from each other although they are normally considered insects. One main difference is the way that they look like. Expect that a water bug is going to be larger as compared to a roach. You can expect that cockroaches are going to be about 1 to 2 inches long. Water bugs, on the other hand, are known to be about 2 inches long and above. Another difference is that you can expect water bugs to stay in the water most of the time. The color of these two insects is also different. Roaches are normally brown to almost black in color while water bugs will also be brown but some will be gray.