African Harvester Termite vs Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Harvester Termite | Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microhodotermes viator | Cubitermes ugandensis |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Hodotermitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | Workers 3-5 mm, soldiers 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Western Cape, South Africa | Uganda, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite
A soil-feeding termite from East Africa that builds small pedestal-shaped mounds. It processes large amounts of soil to extract humic nutrients.
Did You Know?
Its mounds are so mineral-rich that elephants and other mammals visit them to consume the soil for essential minerals.