Queensland Cathedral Termite vs Silver-spotted Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Queensland Cathedral Termite Silver-spotted Skipper
Scientific Name Nasutitermes magnus Hesperia comma
Order Blattodea Lepidoptera
Family Termitidae Hesperiidae
Size 5-7 mm 28-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Tropical Queensland, Australia Europe, temperate Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Queensland Cathedral Termite

A large Australian nasute termite that constructs impressive cathedral-like mounds in tropical Queensland. Mounds are tall and narrow with multiple turrets and spires. Colonies can persist for many decades.

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Did You Know?

The cathedral mounds of this species are some of the most architecturally ornate in Australia, with elaborate buttresses and turrets.

Silver-spotted Skipper

A small golden-brown butterfly with distinctive silvery spots on the green underside of its hindwings. It is restricted to short, sun-baked chalk grassland.

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Did You Know?

It requires turf shorter than 5 cm and bare ground patches warmed by the sun for egg-laying.