Black Mound Termite vs Spur-throated Locust

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Mound Termite Spur-throated Locust
Scientific Name Amitermes evuncifer Austracris guttulosa
Order Blattodea Orthoptera
Family Termitidae Acrididae
Size 3-8 mm 50-75 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast) Australia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Mound Termite

A soil-feeding termite that builds small dark mounds in West African savannas. Workers process soil organic matter and play an important role in nutrient cycling. Colonies are smaller than Macrotermes species.

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Did You Know?

These termites process so much soil that they are considered ecosystem engineers, significantly altering soil structure and fertility.

Spur-throated Locust

A large Australian locust named for the distinctive spur on its throat. It is a major agricultural pest in northern and eastern Australia, particularly damaging to sorghum and other grain crops.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the plague locust, spur-throated locusts are primarily solitary but can form dense bands when conditions are favourable.