Magnetic Termite vs Slaty Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Magnetic Termite | Slaty Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amitermes meridionalis | Libellula incesta |
| Order | Blattodea | Odonata |
| Family | Termitidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 45-52 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | 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.
Slaty Skimmer
A dark, slate-blue dragonfly of eastern North America. Mature males are uniformly dark blue-black, making them distinctive at ponds.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few North American dragonflies where males are almost entirely dark blue-black.