Dark Southern Drywood Termite vs Rugose Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark Southern Drywood Termite Rugose Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cryptotermes cavifrons Anotylus rugosus
Order Blattodea Coleoptera
Family Kalotermitidae Staphylinidae
Size 4-7 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Scavengers
Regions Southeastern United States, Caribbean Cosmopolitan: Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas, Australasia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

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.

Rugose Rove Beetle

A small, dark oxytelline rove beetle with a heavily rugose (wrinkled) surface texture. It is extremely common in dung and decaying organic matter across much of the temperate world.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the most cosmopolitan beetle species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.