Long-jawed Desert Termite vs Dark Western Drywood Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-jawed Desert Termite | Dark Western Drywood Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psammotermes hybostoma | Incisitermes fruticavus |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhinotermitidae | Kalotermitidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | Workers 5-7 mm, soldiers 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | North Africa, Sahara, Middle East | Southwestern United States, Sonoran Desert |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Long-jawed Desert Termite
A sand-dwelling termite found across the Sahara and arid North Africa, uniquely adapted to life in loose desert sands. Colonies build nests in sandy soil without constructing permanent mounds. Workers forage underground for buried plant debris.
Did You Know?
This species can locate and exploit tiny fragments of buried vegetation in apparently barren sand, detecting wood through vibrations in the soil.
Dark Western Drywood Termite
A drywood termite found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. It infests dead wood in desert trees and shrubs.
Did You Know?
It commonly infests dead wood of palo verde trees and mesquite in the Sonoran Desert.