Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite vs Florida Dampwood Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite | Florida Dampwood Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xenos vesparum | Neotermes castaneus |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Xenidae | Kalotermitidae |
| Size | 2-5 mm (males) | 6-12 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southern Florida, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
An endoparasite of paper wasps where females spend their entire life inside the wasp host. Parasitized wasps are castrated and abandon their colony duties.
Did You Know?
Female Xenos never leave their wasp host — they live, mate, and give birth to thousands of larvae while permanently embedded in the wasps abdomen.
Florida Dampwood Termite
A dampwood termite found in southern Florida and the Caribbean that infests water-damaged wood. Colonies remain small and localized within their wood food source.
Did You Know?
They are commonly found infesting living trees that have heartwood decay from fungal infections.