Elephant Beetle vs Florida Drywood Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Beetle | Florida Drywood Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megasoma elephas | Calcaritermes nearcticus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Kalotermitidae |
| Size | 70-120 mm | Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Southeastern United States (Florida, coastal Southeast) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Elephant Beetle
One of the heaviest beetles, weighing up to 50 grams. Males have prominent horns on the head and prothorax. Larvae take 2-3 years to develop in rotting wood.
Did You Know?
Elephant beetle larvae are so large they were reportedly eaten by indigenous peoples in Central America — each larva can weigh as much as a small chicken egg.
Florida Drywood Termite
A small drywood termite native to the southeastern United States. Soldiers have distinctive calcar-like projections on their tibiae.
Did You Know?
Its tibial spurs (calcars) give the genus its name and are used in defense alongside its mandibles.