Western Subterranean Termite vs Cathedral Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Subterranean Termite | Cathedral Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Reticulitermes hesperus | Nasutitermes triodiae |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhinotermitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 4–8 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Oceania |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Western Subterranean Termite
The most common structural pest termite in western North America. Colonies build extensive underground tunnel networks connecting to above-ground wood sources.
Did You Know?
A single colony can contain over one million individuals and forage across an area of half an acre.
Cathedral Termite
Builds enormous mound structures up to 8 meters tall — the tallest structures relative to builder size of any animal. Mounds have sophisticated ventilation and temperature regulation.
Did You Know?
Proportionally, termite mounds are the tallest structures built by any animal — if humans built at the same scale, our buildings would be over 1.5 km tall.