African Hide Beetle vs Light-colored Subterranean Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Hide Beetle | Light-colored Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trox sabulosus | Heterotermes aureus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Trogidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Arizona, southern California, northwestern Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Hide Beetle
A small, rough-textured beetle covered in soil particles and debris that provide excellent camouflage. Its elytra have rows of tubercles that trap dirt. It feeds on dried animal remains in advanced stages of decomposition.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, hide beetles play dead and are nearly impossible to spot due to the dirt encrusted on their bodies.
Light-colored Subterranean Termite
A desert-adapted subterranean termite common in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Colonies build extensive underground tunnel systems and infest structural wood. Workers are pale golden-yellow in color.
Did You Know?
This is the most common structural pest termite in the Sonoran Desert region, thriving in one of the hottest and driest environments inhabited by any termite.