Monster Disguised Cockroach

Description:

At the Mayan Ruins of Becan there is a long passageway (using the Mayan Corbel Arch) that was supposedly used as a short cut between two major plazas. Halfway down this rather dark passage was a small low room (see last picture). I shone my flashlight into it and on the wall was this huge cockroach (nymph?) completely covered in sand and camouflaged against the wall. I suspect its actual body color is dark. It was about 12 cm long.

Notes:

The way this cockroach is covered with sand looks intentional. There are many insects which cover themselves with dirt to disguise themselves on the ground. The nymphs of the Triatomine vector of Chagas´ Disease (Triatoma dimidiata) prefer dirt floors and nests in the ground. They purposely cover themselves with dirt using their hind legs and once covered are very difficult to see. Without a bright light, this cockroach would never have been seen.