Florida Drywood Termite vs Harvester Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Florida Drywood Termite Harvester Termite
Scientific Name Calcaritermes nearcticus Hodotermes mossambicus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Kalotermitidae Hodotermitidae
Size Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-6 mm 8–15 mm
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Southeastern United States (Florida, coastal Southeast) Southern and Eastern Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Florida Drywood Termite

A small drywood termite native to the southeastern United States. Soldiers have distinctive calcar-like projections on their tibiae.

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Did You Know?

Its tibial spurs (calcars) give the genus its name and are used in defense alongside its mandibles.

Harvester Termite

One of the few termite species that forages above ground in broad daylight. Workers have functional eyes and harvest dry grass from savanna surfaces.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the only termites with fully developed compound eyes, an adaptation for its daytime foraging lifestyle.