Tropical Flat Rove Beetle vs Subterranean Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Flat Rove Beetle | Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Priochirus abyssinus | Reticulitermes flavipes |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 4-8 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Underground |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | East Africa, Ethiopian Highlands | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tropical Flat Rove Beetle
A highly flattened, tropical rove beetle with a remarkably compressed body adapted for living under tree bark. Its pancake-like profile allows it to exploit extremely thin subcortical spaces.
Did You Know?
The body of this beetle is so flat that it can squeeze into bark crevices less than 1 mm wide, making it virtually unreachable by predators.
Subterranean Termite
The most economically destructive termite species in North America, living in underground colonies that can number in the millions. Workers forage through soil to reach wood.
Did You Know?
Eastern subterranean termites cause an estimated five billion dollars in property damage annually in the United States alone.