Cuban Burrowing Cockroach vs Exploding Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cuban Burrowing Cockroach | Exploding Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Byrsotria fumigata | Neocapritermes taracua |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Blaberidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Caves |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cuba, Caribbean | French Guiana, northern South America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Cuban Burrowing Cockroach
A stocky burrowing cockroach native to Cuba. It spends most of its life underground in tropical soils.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, it emits a strong musty odor from defensive glands as a deterrent to predators.
Exploding Termite
A soil-feeding termite from French Guiana known for workers that carry backpack-like pouches of toxic crystals. When attacked, older workers rupture these pouches to release a sticky, toxic substance. This is the first documented case of worker autothysis in termites.
Did You Know?
Older workers develop blue crystal backpacks on their abdomens that become more toxic with age, essentially turning elderly workers into walking chemical weapons.