Desert Termite vs Dark Western Drywood Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Termite | Dark Western Drywood Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gnathamitermes tubiformans | Incisitermes fruticavus |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Termitidae | Kalotermitidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | Workers 5-7 mm, soldiers 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Southwestern United States, Sonoran Desert |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Desert Termite
A subterranean termite that builds mud tubes over dead grass and cow dung in desert environments. It plays a critical role in nutrient cycling in arid ecosystems.
Did You Know?
Its mud tubes, called galleries, can cover entire dead grass plants overnight after a desert rainstorm.
Dark Western Drywood Termite
A drywood termite found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. It infests dead wood in desert trees and shrubs.
Did You Know?
It commonly infests dead wood of palo verde trees and mesquite in the Sonoran Desert.