Malaysian Subterranean Termite vs Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malaysian Subterranean Termite Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Coptotermes curvignathus Cryptotermes dudleyi
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Rhinotermitidae Kalotermitidae
Size Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 5-7 mm Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia Pantropical (Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands)
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Malaysian Subterranean Termite

An aggressive subterranean termite that attacks living trees and wooden structures in Southeast Asia. Soldiers have distinctly curved mandibles.

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Did You Know?

It is a major pest of rubber and oil palm plantations, attacking healthy living trees from below ground.

Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite

A pantropical drywood termite that infests dead wood and structural timber. Soldiers have a distinctive rough, phragmotic head used to block nest tunnels.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers use their plug-shaped heads to physically block tunnel entrances, preventing ant invasions.