Firebrat vs Bilobatus Soil Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Firebrat Bilobatus Soil Termite
Scientific Name Thermobia domestica Cubitermes bilobatodes
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Lepismatidae Termitidae
Size 10-15 mm 4-5 mm
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Omnivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Worldwide Central and West Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Firebrat

A heat-loving relative of the silverfish that thrives at temperatures of 37-39C. Found near furnaces, boilers, and bakeries. One of the most thermophilic household insects.

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Did You Know?

Firebrats seek out the hottest spots in buildings — they have been found living happily inside commercial bread ovens and next to industrial furnaces at nearly 40C.

Bilobatus Soil Termite

An African soil-feeding termite found in moist forests and forest-savanna transitional zones. Mounds are small and may have a single cap or multiple cap layers. Workers feed on the highly organic upper soil layers.

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Did You Know?

The soil processed and expelled by Cubitermes colonies has significantly altered mineral composition compared to surrounding soil, creating distinct micro-habitats.