African Citrus Psyllid vs African Harvester Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Citrus Psyllid | African Harvester Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trioza erytreae | Microhodotermes viator |
| Order | Hemiptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Triozidae | Hodotermitidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, Madeira, Canary Islands, Iberian Peninsula (invasive) | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Citrus Psyllid
A small brownish psyllid that causes distinctive pit galls on citrus leaves. It vectors the African form of citrus greening disease and is expanding its range into Europe.
Did You Know?
Unlike the Asian citrus psyllid, this species prefers cooler climates and has been detected in Portugal and Spain, threatening Mediterranean citrus production.
African Harvester Termite
A harvester termite found in the fynbos and semi-arid regions of the Western Cape in South Africa. Workers have pigmented eyes and forage on the surface for grass and plant material. Colonies build subterranean nests with extensive tunnel systems.
Did You Know?
This species creates 'heuweltjies' (small mounds) in the fynbos landscape that are visible in satellite imagery and may persist for thousands of years.