Flat-horned Hissing Cockroach vs Dark Southern Subterranean Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flat-horned Hissing Cockroach Dark Southern Subterranean Termite
Scientific Name Aeluropoda insignis Reticulitermes virginicus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blaberidae Rhinotermitidae
Size 45-65 mm Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Forests Caves
Diet Detritivores Wood Feeders
Regions Madagascar Southeastern United States
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Flat-horned Hissing Cockroach

A Madagascan cockroach with broad, flattened horns on the pronotum. It lives under bark and in rotting wood on the forest floor.

💡

Did You Know?

Its flattened body allows it to squeeze into tight crevices under tree bark.

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.