Pests
Guides
Blattodea
cockroaches and termites
Blattodea is an order of insects comprising approximately 4,400 species of cockroaches and 3,000 species of termites. Formerly treated as separate orders, termites were subsumed into Blattodea based on genetic and molecular evidence demonstrating their evolution from within the cockroach lineage. The order exhibits remarkable diversity in social organization, ranging from solitary cockroaches to eusocial termites with complex caste systems. Together with Mantodea, Blattodea forms the superorder Dictyoptera.
Cossidae
carpenter millers, cossid millers, goat moths, carpenter moths
Cossidae, commonly known as carpenter millers or goat moths, is a family of large moths in the order Lepidoptera. The family contains over 110 genera with nearly 700 described species, with many more awaiting description. Members are found worldwide and are predominantly nocturnal, with the exception of the Southeast Asian subfamily Ratardinae. The family includes some of the largest moths by mass, such as Endoxyla cinereus, which can weigh up to 30 grams with a wingspan reaching 23 centimeters. Many species are economically significant as wood-boring pests, while others have cultural importance as food sources.
Erotylidae
Pleasing Fungus Beetles
Erotylidae, commonly known as pleasing fungus beetles, is a family of beetles in the superfamily Erotyloidea containing over 100 genera. The family includes six tribes (Tritomini, Dacnini, Megalodacnini, Erotylini, Cryptophilini, and Languriini) and ten subfamilies. Members feed on plant and fungal matter; some species serve as important pollinators of ancient cycads, while a few are significant agricultural pests. The oldest known fossil is from Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Lebanese amber.
Heterotermes
subterranean termites
Heterotermes is a genus of subterranean termites with near-cosmopolitan distribution. Members are eusocial insects forming large colonies with distinct castes: primary reproductives (alates), nymphoid neotenic secondary reproductives, workers, and soldiers. The genus is closely related to Reticulitermes. Several species are significant pests of timber, crops, and structures.