Cape Mountain Cockroach vs Dark Southern Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cape Mountain Cockroach Dark Southern Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Aptera fusca Cryptotermes cavifrons
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blattidae Kalotermitidae
Size 35-45 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Wood Feeders
Regions South Africa (Western Cape) Southeastern United States, Caribbean
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Cape Mountain Cockroach

A large, wingless cockroach endemic to the mountains of South Africa. It lives in fynbos vegetation and rocky outcrops.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few cockroach species adapted to cool mountain climates and is completely wingless.

Dark Southern Drywood Termite

A native drywood termite of the southeastern United States and Caribbean. They infest hardwoods and are commonly found in dead tree branches and stumps.

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Did You Know?

Their soldiers use their uniquely roughened heads to block gallery entrances with a sandpaper-like grip.