Lepinotus Booklouse vs Mound-building Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lepinotus Booklouse Mound-building Termite
Scientific Name Lepinotus reticulatus Macrotermes gilvus
Order Psocoptera Blattodea
Family Trogiidae Termitidae
Size 1.0-1.5 mm 5-12 mm
Habitat Caves Farmland
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Southeast Asia, from India to the Philippines
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Lepinotus Booklouse

A small wingless psocid with a reticulated body surface found in buildings and caves. It tolerates cooler temperatures than most booklice.

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Did You Know?

This booklouse is one of the few psocid species regularly found in caves and underground environments.

Mound-building Termite

A fungus-growing termite widespread across Southeast Asia that builds subterranean to semi-subterranean nests with low mound structures. It is a significant pest of rubber, coconut, and oil palm plantations. Workers forage via covered galleries.

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Did You Know?

In parts of Thailand and Laos, the winged reproductives of this species are fried and eaten as a popular seasonal snack during the early rainy season.