Kaup Bess Beetle vs Madagascar Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Kaup Bess Beetle | Madagascar Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Passalus interstitialis | Coptotermes truncatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Passalidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 4-8 mm (workers); 5-9 mm (soldiers) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, Mexico | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Kaup Bess Beetle
A large, elongate, shiny black bess beetle with prominent mandibles and longitudinal grooves on the elytra. It is the most common Passalid in Central America. Colonies of adults and larvae inhabit decaying logs.
Did You Know?
Bess beetles are subsocial insects where parents and offspring live together and cooperate in maintaining their log galleries.
Madagascar Termite
A subterranean termite with soft, pale workers and dark-headed soldiers that have elongated, rounded heads equipped with a frontal pore for secreting defensive fluids.
Did You Know?
Soldiers defend the colony by squirting a sticky, irritating fluid from a gland on their head, entangling attackers like ants.