Magnetic Termite vs Painted Hickory Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Magnetic Termite | Painted Hickory Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amitermes meridionalis | Megacyllene caryae |
| Order | Blattodea | Coleoptera |
| Family | Termitidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 14-22 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Magnetic Termite
Builds tall wedge-shaped mounds precisely oriented on a north-south axis to regulate internal temperature. The flat sides face east-west to warm in the morning and cool in the afternoon.
Did You Know?
Every magnetic termite mound in northern Australia points the same direction — perfectly north-south like compass needles, to regulate internal temperature throughout the day.
Painted Hickory Borer
A handsome cerambycid with white zigzag markings on dark brown elytra, breeding in dead hickory and oak in eastern North America. Adults appear in spring, unlike the autumn-active locust borer. It is frequently found on freshly cut firewood.
Did You Know?
This species and the locust borer are near-perfect lookalikes but are separated by season: spring vs. autumn emergence.