Golden Metallic Longhorn vs Giant Northern Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden Metallic Longhorn Giant Northern Termite
Scientific Name Tmesisternus isabellae Mastotermes darwiniensis
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Cerambycidae Mastotermitidae
Size 20-35 mm 10-15mm
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Papua region) Oceania
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Golden Metallic Longhorn

A rare longhorn beetle with striking golden or coppery metallic elytra covered in a fine pubescence. The body is elongated with very long antennae banded in black and gold.

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Did You Know?

The metallic coloration changes depending on ambient humidity, appearing more golden in dry conditions and more coppery when wet.

Giant Northern Termite

The most primitive living termite and the only surviving member of its family. It retains many cockroach-like features including laying eggs in cockroach-like oothecae. It is extremely destructive to timber.

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Did You Know?

It is a living fossil, the most primitive termite alive, retaining cockroach-like features that link termites to their ancestors.