African Nasute Mound Termite vs Nigerian Snouted Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Nasute Mound Termite | Nigerian Snouted Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nasutitermes latifrons | Trinervitermes oeconomus |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Termitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | West Africa, Central Africa | West Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Nigerian Snouted Termite
A grass-harvesting nasute termite found across West African savannas, building small dome-shaped mounds. Colonies play a significant ecological role in grass decomposition and nutrient cycling. Workers form organized foraging columns.
Did You Know?
A single colony can harvest over 60 kg of grass per year, making this species one of the most important herbivores in West African grasslands.