Mound-building Termite vs Southeastern Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mound-building Termite Southeastern Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Macrotermes gilvus Incisitermes snyderi
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Kalotermitidae
Size 5-12 mm 7–11 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Fungus Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia, from India to the Philippines Southeastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Mound-building Termite

A fungus-growing termite widespread across Southeast Asia that builds subterranean to semi-subterranean nests with low mound structures. It is a significant pest of rubber, coconut, and oil palm plantations. Workers forage via covered galleries.

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Did You Know?

In parts of Thailand and Laos, the winged reproductives of this species are fried and eaten as a popular seasonal snack during the early rainy season.

Southeastern Drywood Termite

A drywood termite found in the southeastern United States that infests structural timber. Colonies are small but can persist for decades undetected.

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Did You Know?

Swarms are attracted to lights at night, and finding shed wings on windowsills is often the first sign of infestation.