Western Boxelder Bug vs Protermes Inquiline Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Boxelder Bug | Protermes Inquiline Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boisea rubrolineata | Protermes prorepens |
| Order | Hemiptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhopalidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 11-14 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | East Africa, Southern Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Boxelder Bug
A red and black bug very similar to the eastern boxelder bug but found in western North America. It forms large overwintering aggregations on buildings and fences near boxelder trees. It is a nuisance pest but causes no structural damage.
Did You Know?
When crushed, it stains fabrics and surfaces with a reddish-orange dye from its body fluids, which is why it should be vacuumed rather than squashed when found indoors.
Protermes Inquiline Termite
A small inquiline termite that lives within the mounds of larger fungus-growing termite species in Africa. Colonies are tiny and discrete, occupying small chambers within the walls of the host mound. Workers feed on fungal material.
Did You Know?
Inquiline termites like this species are the cuckoos of the termite world, sneaking into other species' elaborate mounds to exploit their resources.