Boll's Sandroach
Arenivaga bolliana
This record describes Arenivaga bolliana (species). Recorded family: Corydiidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.
Identification and Appearance
Arenivaga bolliana, known generally as the Boll's sand cockroach, is a species of cockroaches in the family Corydiidae. It is found in North America.
Identification notes
Det. Paul Lenhart, 2011
Wikipedia reference for Arenivaga bolliana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arenivaga_bolliana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
- Superfamily
- Corydioidea
- Family
- Corydiidae (Sand Cockroaches)
- Subfamily
- Corydiinae
- Genus
- Arenivaga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The downy females have no wings and burrow in the dust under houses and in natural rock shelters where they feed on packrat droppings. This large roach is also present in abandoned Atta texana tunnels and in chambers filled with nest refuse.
Geographic Range
TX / Mex. - Map (GBIF)
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Mar-Nov (BG & GBIF data)
About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group
Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Arenivaga bolliana. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Blattodea includes ~4,600 cockroach species and ~3,000 termite species. Only about 30 cockroach species are associated with human habitats - less than 1% of all species.
Ecological role of the group
Termites contribute ~40% of soil arthropod biomass globally, far exceeding ants at ~10%. Cockroaches are ancient insects dating back 320 million years and are critical decomposers in tropical forest ecosystems, recycling leaf litter and dead wood.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Termites cause $5-30 billion in damage to structures in the U.S. annually. They damage approximately 600,000 American homes each year, with average repair costs of $3,000-$17,000. A subterranean termite colony can consume one pound of wood per day.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, Orkin, Today's Homeowner, PNAS soil biomass study. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Boll's Sandroach (6)
Photo credits: (c) Joseph Connors, all rights reserved, uploaded by Joseph Connors | (c) Daniel Carter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Daniel Carter | (c) Benjamin Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Benjamin Schwartz | (c) Melanie Hollenshead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Melanie Hollenshead | (c) Priscilla, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Priscilla | Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Boll's Sandroach
What is Boll's Sandroach?
Boll's Sandroach (Arenivaga bolliana) is a species in the family Corydiidae, within the order Blattodea.
How big is Boll's Sandroach?
30 mm adult males.
How do you identify Boll's Sandroach?
Det. Paul Lenhart, 2011
Where is Boll's Sandroach found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The downy females have no wings and burrow in the dust under houses and in natural rock shelters where they feed on packrat droppings. This large roach is also present in abandoned Atta texana tunnels and in chambers filled with nest refuse. |
| Range | TX / Mex. - Map (GBIF) |
When is Boll's Sandroach active?
Boll's Sandroach: seasonal activity - mostly: Mar-Nov (BG & GBIF data).