Larger Elm Leaf Beetle vs Lacteus Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Larger Elm Leaf Beetle | Lacteus Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Monocesta coryli | Coptotermes lacteus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Eastern Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Larger Elm Leaf Beetle
A robust, bright yellowish-orange beetle with darker wing tips that feeds on a variety of deciduous trees. When handled, it can release a blistering chemical secretion.
Did You Know?
Its hemolymph contains cantharidin-like compounds that can cause skin blisters on contact, an unusual defense for a leaf beetle.
Lacteus Termite
An Australian mound-building termite that constructs distinctive dark, hard-walled mounds up to 2 meters tall. The mounds are a common sight in pastures and open woodland across eastern Australia. Workers are pale and soft-bodied with gut protozoa for cellulose digestion.
Did You Know?
Their mounds are so durable that they persist for decades after the colony dies and are sometimes used as road-building material in rural Australia.