Speculitermes Inquiline vs Florida Drywood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Speculitermes Inquiline Florida Drywood Termite
Scientific Name Speculitermes cyclops Calcaritermes nearcticus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Kalotermitidae
Size 2-4 mm Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions India, Sri Lanka Southeastern United States (Florida, coastal Southeast)
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Speculitermes Inquiline

A small soil-feeding termite from India that is notable for being an inquiline, living within the mounds of larger termite species. Workers are pale and blind, feeding on organic soil within the host mound. Colonies are small and inconspicuous.

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Did You Know?

This termite is a mound parasite, secretly living inside the walls of other termites' nests and feeding on soil without the host colony apparently noticing.

Florida Drywood Termite

A small drywood termite native to the southeastern United States. Soldiers have distinctive calcar-like projections on their tibiae.

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Did You Know?

Its tibial spurs (calcars) give the genus its name and are used in defense alongside its mandibles.