Teratembiid Web Spinner vs European Dampwood Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Teratembiid Web Spinner European Dampwood Termite
Scientific Name Teratembia geniculata Kalotermes flavicollis
Order Embioptera Blattodea
Family Teratembiidae Kalotermitidae
Size 6.0-9.0 mm 6–9 mm
Habitat Heathland Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Teratembiid Web Spinner

A small web spinner found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has distinctively bent hind femora used for navigating silk tunnels.

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Did You Know?

The bent knees of this web spinner act as anchors allowing it to brace inside its silk tunnels when threatened.

European Dampwood Termite

The most widespread termite in Europe, inhabiting dead branches of oaks and other broadleaf trees. Colonies are small, typically with a few hundred individuals.

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Did You Know?

It is the only termite native to most of Europe and has been known since Aristotle first described termites.