Arid-land Subterranean Termite vs Turkish Cave Dipluran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arid-land Subterranean Termite Turkish Cave Dipluran
Scientific Name Reticulitermes tibialis Plusiocampa aff. typhla
Order Blattodea Diplura
Family Rhinotermitidae Campodeidae
Size Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Western and central United States Turkey
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

Arid-land Subterranean Termite

A subterranean termite adapted to dry conditions in the western United States. It builds mud tubes across exposed surfaces to maintain humidity.

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Did You Know?

It thrives in desert conditions where annual rainfall is less than 250 mm by deeply tapping soil moisture.

Turkish Cave Dipluran

A cave-adapted dipluran from limestone caves in Turkey. It is part of a species complex found across the eastern Mediterranean.

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Did You Know?

Cave diplurans in the Mediterranean region are important indicators of ancient geological connections.