Papua New Guinea Jewel Beetle vs Asian Subterranean Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Papua New Guinea Jewel Beetle | Asian Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysochroa mniszechii | Coptotermes gestroi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Buprestidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 3-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (Papua New Guinea) | Southeast Asia, Caribbean, South America, Florida |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Papua New Guinea Jewel Beetle
A spectacularly colourful jewel beetle found in Papua New Guinea, with an iridescent metallic body that shifts between green, blue, and purple. Like all buprestids, its larvae are wood borers. Adults are found on logs and tree trunks in tropical forest.
Did You Know?
The brilliant metallic colours of jewel beetles are caused by thin-film interference in layered structures within their exoskeleton, inspiring biomimetic research in optics.
Asian Subterranean Termite
A highly invasive subterranean termite that has spread throughout tropical regions worldwide. They are especially destructive in urban environments and boat timbers.
Did You Know?
They have been transported globally through infested shipping materials and now threaten wooden structures on every tropical continent.