Dark Southern Subterranean Termite vs Cathedral Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Southern Subterranean Termite | Cathedral Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Reticulitermes virginicus | Nasutitermes triodiae |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhinotermitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Oceania |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Dark Southern Subterranean Termite
A common subterranean termite in the southeastern United States. It is smaller and less destructive than the eastern subterranean termite but still causes significant damage.
Did You Know?
It often coexists with the eastern subterranean termite, with both species found in the same logs.
Cathedral Termite
Builds enormous mound structures up to 8 meters tall — the tallest structures relative to builder size of any animal. Mounds have sophisticated ventilation and temperature regulation.
Did You Know?
Proportionally, termite mounds are the tallest structures built by any animal — if humans built at the same scale, our buildings would be over 1.5 km tall.