Oak Eggar vs Exploding Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oak Eggar | Exploding Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lasiocampa quercus | Neocapritermes taracua |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Lasiocampidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 50-75 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Caves |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, western Asia | French Guiana, northern South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Oak Eggar
A robust moth with rich brown wings and a distinctive white spot on each forewing. Males are active fast fliers during the day, while females fly at night.
Did You Know?
Males can detect a female's pheromones from several kilometres away.
Exploding Termite
A soil-feeding termite from French Guiana known for workers that carry backpack-like pouches of toxic crystals. When attacked, older workers rupture these pouches to release a sticky, toxic substance. This is the first documented case of worker autothysis in termites.
Did You Know?
Older workers develop blue crystal backpacks on their abdomens that become more toxic with age, essentially turning elderly workers into walking chemical weapons.