Globe Termite vs Lappet Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Globe Termite | Lappet Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Globitermes sulphureus | Gastropacha quercifolia |
| Order | Blattodea | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Termitidae | Lasiocampidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 45-85 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, from Thailand to Indonesia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Lappet Moth
A moth that rests with wings layered to perfectly resemble a cluster of dead leaves.
Did You Know?
Its scalloped wing edges enhance the dead leaf disguise.