African Nasute Mound Termite vs Bioluminescent Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Nasute Mound Termite Bioluminescent Cockroach
Scientific Name Nasutitermes latifrons Lucihormetica verrucosa
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Blaberidae
Size 4-6 mm 20-28 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa South America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

African Nasute Mound Termite

A mound-building nasute termite found in West and Central African forests. Colonies construct carton mounds at ground level or on tree bases. Soldiers have a broad head with a short, wide nasute projection for spraying defensive terpenes.

💡

Did You Know?

The defensive secretion of nasute soldiers contains terpene compounds that are not only sticky but also toxic to small arthropod predators.

Bioluminescent Cockroach

A cockroach with two glowing spots on its pronotum that mimic toxic click beetles.

💡

Did You Know?

Its bioluminescence is thought to be Batesian mimicry of toxic Pyrophorus beetles.