Chinese Medicinal Cockroach

Chinese Medicinal Cockroach

Eupolyphaga sinensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Beijing

In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%

37 Verified sightings at Beijing
July Best month

About the Chinese Medicinal Cockroach

Eupolyphaga sinensis (Chinese: 土鳖虫), is a species of cockroach in the genus Eupolyphaga. They are most abundant in Central and Northern China, but also extend into South Russia, and likely Mongolia. It is the most widely distributed species within the genus. E. sinensis are mainly scavengers which feed on plant debris.

It is well known for its use in traditional Chinese medicine. For commercial use they are bred and raised artificially, once mature they are collected, boiled in water, and dried either in the sun or by baking. Its common name in China, Tubiechong, is often used in reference to traditional Chinese medicine, it can also be used to generally mean a medicine which contains E. sinensis, along with other components. Tubiechong may also refer to several other cockroach species as medicine.

The species was originally described based on female morphology, being a member of Polyphaga, while the males were described as a separate species, Homœogamia sinensis. Further and re-examination resulted in Eupolyphaga sinensis being established. Historically males were confused with the species E. thibetana and E. yunnanensis, they are now recognized as separate species,... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Qingdao 🇨🇳 China
~10%
2 Beijing 🇨🇳 China
~10%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Chinese Medicinal Cockroach in Beijing?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Medicinal Cockroach sighting in Beijing on a given day, based on 37 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 98th most-seen of the 401 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Chinese Medicinal Cockroach in Beijing?

May–September and December

In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Medicinal Cockroach in Beijing on a given day, against under 5% in January–April and October–November, the lowest months. Those are among Beijing's wettest months, with about 75 mm of rain a month against almost none in January.

Is Beijing the best place to see a Chinese Medicinal Cockroach?

Among the best

Of the 2 cities where we can rate Chinese Medicinal Cockroach sightings, Beijing ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Qingdao (China, about 10%).

Where does the Chinese Medicinal Cockroach sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Chinese Medicinal Cockroach is recorded against all the insects logged in Beijing (37 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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