Nevada Dampwood Termite vs Scarlet-Bodied Pergid Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nevada Dampwood Termite Scarlet-Bodied Pergid Sawfly
Scientific Name Zootermopsis nevadensis Perga kirbyi
Order Blattodea Hymenoptera
Family Archotermopsidae Pergidae
Size 10-18 mm 16-24 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Western United States, from Montana to California Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Nevada Dampwood Termite

A large dampwood termite found in mountainous regions of western North America. Colonies inhabit moist, decaying wood of coniferous and deciduous trees. The species is notable for its primitive social organization and flexible caste determination.

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Did You Know?

Individuals in this species can change between worker and soldier castes depending on colony needs, showing remarkable developmental flexibility.

Scarlet-Bodied Pergid Sawfly

A large, robustly built Australian sawfly with a bright scarlet to red-orange abdomen and dark head and thorax. Its spitfire larvae feed on eucalyptus in tight clusters.

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Did You Know?

Adult females demonstrate rare parental care for an insect by guarding their egg batch and early-instar larvae on the eucalyptus leaf.