Elm Bark Beetle vs Giant Northern Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elm Bark Beetle Giant Northern Termite
Scientific Name Scolytus multistriatus Mastotermes darwiniensis
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Curculionidae (Scolytinae) Mastotermitidae
Size 2–3.5 mm 10-15mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Elm Bark Beetle

A small bark beetle that is the primary vector of Dutch elm disease in North America. It creates distinctive brood galleries under elm bark.

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Did You Know?

It spreads the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, which has wiped out millions of elm trees worldwide.

Giant Northern Termite

The most primitive living termite and the only surviving member of its family. It retains many cockroach-like features including laying eggs in cockroach-like oothecae. It is extremely destructive to timber.

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Did You Know?

It is a living fossil, the most primitive termite alive, retaining cockroach-like features that link termites to their ancestors.