Bristly Tachinid Fly vs Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bristly Tachinid Fly Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite
Scientific Name Nowickia ferox Cubitermes ugandensis
Order Diptera Blattodea
Family Tachinidae Termitidae
Size 12-16 mm Workers 3-5 mm, soldiers 5-7 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Detritivores
Regions Europe, Asia Uganda, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Bristly Tachinid Fly

A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.

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Did You Know?

Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.

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.

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Did You Know?

Its mounds are so mineral-rich that elephants and other mammals visit them to consume the soil for essential minerals.