Madagascar Termite vs Bioluminescent Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Madagascar Termite Bioluminescent Cockroach
Scientific Name Coptotermes truncatus Lucihormetica verrucosa
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Rhinotermitidae Blaberidae
Size 4-8 mm (workers); 5-9 mm (soldiers) 20-28 mm
Habitat Caves Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Madagascar South America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers defend the colony by squirting a sticky, irritating fluid from a gland on their head, entangling attackers like ants.

Bioluminescent Cockroach

A cockroach with two glowing spots on its pronotum that mimic toxic click beetles.

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Did You Know?

Its bioluminescence is thought to be Batesian mimicry of toxic Pyrophorus beetles.