Four-ribbed Jewel Beetle vs Western Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-ribbed Jewel Beetle Western Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Polybothris quadricollis Incisitermes minor
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Buprestidae Kalotermitidae
Size 20-30 mm 4-11 mm
Habitat Forests Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Madagascar Western United States, Northern Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Four-ribbed Jewel Beetle

A moderately sized jewel beetle with four distinct ridges on the pronotum, which gives it its name. The elytra shimmer with dark metallic green to bronze tones.

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Did You Know?

The structural color of its exoskeleton inspired biomimicry research into creating non-fade paints and coatings.

Western Drywood Termite

A common drywood termite of the western United States that infests structural timbers and furniture. Unlike subterranean species, they require no soil contact.

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Did You Know?

Their dry fecal pellets, pushed out of tiny kick-out holes, are often the first visible sign of an infestation.