Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite vs Arid-land Subterranean Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite Arid-land Subterranean Termite
Scientific Name Cryptotermes dudleyi Reticulitermes tibialis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Kalotermitidae Rhinotermitidae
Size Workers 4-5 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Pantropical (Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands) Western and central United States
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Tropical Rough-headed Drywood Termite

A pantropical drywood termite that infests dead wood and structural timber. Soldiers have a distinctive rough, phragmotic head used to block nest tunnels.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers use their plug-shaped heads to physically block tunnel entrances, preventing ant invasions.

Arid-land Subterranean Termite

A subterranean termite adapted to dry conditions in the western United States. It builds mud tubes across exposed surfaces to maintain humidity.

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Did You Know?

It thrives in desert conditions where annual rainfall is less than 250 mm by deeply tapping soil moisture.