Red-spotted Jewel Beetle vs Malagasy Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-spotted Jewel Beetle Malagasy Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Castiarina erythroptera Cryptotermes kirbyi
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Buprestidae Kalotermitidae
Size 10-16 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Australia, Oceania Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-spotted Jewel Beetle

A strikingly beautiful jewel beetle with bright red elytra spotted with dark markings. It is commonly found visiting wildflowers in heathland and open woodland habitats during spring and summer.

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Did You Know?

Castiarina jewel beetles are important pollinators of native Australian wildflowers, visiting hundreds of flower species.

Malagasy Drywood Termite

A small drywood termite that forms compact colonies inside dead branches and timber. Soldiers have distinctive phragmotic heads used to block tunnel entrances.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers use their heavily armored, plug-shaped heads as living barricades to block gallery entrances against invading ants.