Cardinal Beetle vs Lacteus Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cardinal Beetle | Lacteus Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pyrochroa coccinea | Coptotermes lacteus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Pyrochroidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 14-18mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cardinal Beetle
A striking flat beetle with a bright scarlet body and large black eyes. Larvae are predators under bark.
Did You Know?
Named for its bright cardinal-red color that matches the robes of Roman Catholic cardinals.
Lacteus Termite
An Australian mound-building termite that constructs distinctive dark, hard-walled mounds up to 2 meters tall. The mounds are a common sight in pastures and open woodland across eastern Australia. Workers are pale and soft-bodied with gut protozoa for cellulose digestion.
Did You Know?
Their mounds are so durable that they persist for decades after the colony dies and are sometimes used as road-building material in rural Australia.