African Harvester Termite vs Fuscipes Tsetse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Harvester Termite | Fuscipes Tsetse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microhodotermes viator | Glossina fuscipes |
| Order | Blattodea | Diptera |
| Family | Hodotermitidae | Glossinidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Western Cape, South Africa | Central and East Africa, from Cameroon to Uganda |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Fuscipes Tsetse Fly
A small riverine tsetse fly that is the major vector of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Central and East Africa. It inhabits riverine vegetation and lakeshores and is responsible for most human African trypanosomiasis cases. Multiple subspecies exist with different geographic ranges.
Did You Know?
It is responsible for transmitting over 90 percent of human sleeping sickness cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.