African Dampwood Termite vs East African Snouted Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Dampwood Termite | East African Snouted Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neotermes aburiensis | Trinervitermes bettonianus |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Kalotermitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 5-10 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon) | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Dampwood Termite
A primitive termite species that nests inside damp, rotting wood rather than building external mounds. Colonies are relatively small compared to mound-building species. Soldiers have large phragmotic heads used to block tunnel entrances.
Did You Know?
Soldiers use their flattened heads like a cork to plug tunnel openings, providing an impenetrable barrier against ant raids.
East African Snouted Termite
A grass-feeding nasute termite common in East African grasslands and savannas, building small to medium earthen mounds. Colonies are relatively small with a few tens of thousands of individuals. The species plays an important role in grass decomposition.
Did You Know?
This species preferentially harvests certain grass species, effectively acting as a selective grazer that can influence the composition of grassland plant communities.