Trilobite Beetle vs Formosan Subterranean Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Trilobite Beetle Formosan Subterranean Termite
Scientific Name Duliticola hoiseni Coptotermes formosanus
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Lycidae Rhinotermitidae
Size 40-80 mm (females), 8-10 mm (males) 5-8 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Fungus Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Asia Asia, North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Trilobite Beetle

Females are large, larviform, and look strikingly like trilobites from the Paleozoic era. Males are tiny conventional-looking beetles. One of the most extreme sexual dimorphisms in insects.

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Did You Know?

Females of this beetle retain their larval form throughout life and look like extinct trilobites — males are tiny normal beetles, creating one of natures most extreme sex differences.

Formosan Subterranean Termite

One of the most aggressive and destructive termite species in the world, forming massive colonies of several million individuals. It originated in southern China.

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Did You Know?

A single Formosan termite colony can contain over 10 million individuals and consume up to 400 grams of wood per day, enough to severely damage a home in six months.