South American Tree Termite vs White Witch Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	South American Tree Termite	White Witch Moth
Scientific Name	Nasutitermes similis	Thysania agrippina
Order	Blattodea	Lepidoptera
Family	Termitidae	Erebidae
Size	4-6 mm	250-310 mm wingspan
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Diet	Gall Makers	Omnivores
Regions	Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay	Central America, South America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

South American Tree Termite

A common Neotropical nasute termite building carton nests on trees throughout South American forests. Colonies are moderately large with well-organized soldier defense. Workers forage along covered galleries on tree bark.

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Did You Know?

Multiple carton nests of this species in a single tree can be interconnected by covered highways running along branches, forming a super-colony network.

White Witch Moth

Holds the record for the widest wingspan of any moth or butterfly at up to 310 mm. A nocturnal neotropical species with pale grey-white wings and wavy dark markings.

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Did You Know?

With a wingspan up to 31 cm, the white witch moth has the widest wingspan of any living insect — broader than a dinner plate and rivaling small birds in flight.