Giant Fijian Long-horned Beetle vs Light-colored Subterranean Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Fijian Long-horned Beetle | Light-colored Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xixuthrus terribilis | Heterotermes aureus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 60-90 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (Fiji - Viti Levu) | Arizona, southern California, northwestern Mexico |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Giant Fijian Long-horned Beetle
An extremely large longhorn beetle from Fiji, among the biggest cerambycids in the Pacific. It develops in large fallen and standing dead trees in native tropical forest. Habitat destruction has made it increasingly rare.
Did You Know?
The species name 'terribilis' refers to the fearsome appearance and large mandibles of this beetle, which can give a painful bite.
Light-colored Subterranean Termite
A desert-adapted subterranean termite common in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Colonies build extensive underground tunnel systems and infest structural wood. Workers are pale golden-yellow in color.
Did You Know?
This is the most common structural pest termite in the Sonoran Desert region, thriving in one of the hottest and driest environments inhabited by any termite.