Snapping Termite vs Dark Western Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snapping Termite Dark Western Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Termes hospes Incisitermes fruticavus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Kalotermitidae
Size 4-6 mm Workers 5-7 mm, soldiers 6-8 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Root Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa Southwestern United States, Sonoran Desert
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Snapping Termite

An African soil-feeding termite common in forest and savanna soils. Soldiers possess powerful snapping mandibles that can inflict painful bites. Colonies are subterranean and contribute significantly to soil processing.

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Did You Know?

The snapping mandibles of soldiers work like loaded springs, storing elastic energy that is released in a rapid strike capable of killing ant attackers.

Dark Western Drywood Termite

A drywood termite found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. It infests dead wood in desert trees and shrubs.

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Did You Know?

It commonly infests dead wood of palo verde trees and mesquite in the Sonoran Desert.