Globe Termite vs Cuban Burrowing Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Globe Termite | Cuban Burrowing Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Globitermes sulphureus | Byrsotria fumigata |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Termitidae | Blaberidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 30-40 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, from Thailand to Indonesia | Cuba, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Globe Termite
A Southeast Asian termite with soldiers that practice autothysis, or suicidal self-destruction. When threatened, soldiers contract their abdominal muscles to rupture their body wall, releasing a yellow, sticky secretion that entangles attackers. Colonies build small carton nests.
Did You Know?
Soldiers literally explode when attacked, rupturing a gland filled with toxic yellow liquid that solidifies into a sticky trap, sacrificing themselves for the colony.
Cuban Burrowing Cockroach
A stocky burrowing cockroach native to Cuba. It spends most of its life underground in tropical soils.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, it emits a strong musty odor from defensive glands as a deterrent to predators.