Margined Leatherwing vs Malagasy Mound-building Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Margined Leatherwing Malagasy Mound-building Termite
Scientific Name Chauliognathus marginatus Microcerotermes subtilis
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Cantharidae Termitidae
Size 9-12 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Margined Leatherwing

An early-summer soldier beetle found across eastern North America with yellow elytra edged in dark margins. It visits a wide variety of flowers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the similar goldenrod soldier beetle, this species appears in late spring rather than autumn.

Malagasy Mound-building Termite

A small termite species that constructs conspicuous carton mounds on tree trunks or the ground. Workers are pale and soft-bodied with darkened head capsules.

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Did You Know?

Its dark carton mounds are made from a mixture of soil, chewed wood, and fecal material cemented together, and they can persist for years even after the colony dies.