Atlas Longhorn vs Milk Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Atlas Longhorn Milk Termite
Scientific Name Macrotoma palmata Schedorhinotermes lamanianus
Order Coleoptera Blattodea
Family Cerambycidae Rhinotermitidae
Size 40-65 mm Workers 4-5 mm, major soldiers 7-8 mm
Habitat Grasslands Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa Northern Australia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Atlas Longhorn

A large prionine beetle from tropical Africa with palmate (comb-like) antennae in males. The body is dark brown with a robust build. Larvae develop in large fallen trunks of savanna trees.

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Did You Know?

The elaborate comb-like antennae of males are thought to detect female pheromones with extreme sensitivity.

Milk Termite

A large subterranean termite from tropical Australia with two distinct soldier sizes. Major soldiers have large mandibles while minor soldiers are smaller.

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Did You Know?

It gets its common name from the milky white secretion that soldiers exude when the colony is disturbed.