Turneri Carton Termite vs Actaeon Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Turneri Carton Termite | Actaeon Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microcerotermes turneri | Megasoma actaeon |
| Order | Blattodea | Coleoptera |
| Family | Termitidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 50-135 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Northern and eastern Australia | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Turneri Carton Termite
An Australian arboreal termite that builds small, round carton nests on the trunks of eucalyptus trees. Colonies are small to medium-sized. Workers consume weathered and partially decayed wood.
Did You Know?
The nests are surprisingly hard and durable, persisting on trees for years after the colony has vacated, and are sometimes used by other insects as shelter.
Actaeon Beetle
Contender for the worlds heaviest beetle — a male larva bred in Japan weighed 228 grams, about the weight of a brown rat. Adults are armored giants of the Amazon.
Did You Know?
A captive-bred Actaeon beetle larva weighed 228 grams — about half a pound — making it the heaviest insect larva ever recorded, heavier than a hamster.