Dampwood Termite vs African Fungus Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dampwood Termite African Fungus Termite
Scientific Name Zootermopsis angusticollis Macrotermes natalensis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Archotermopsidae Termitidae
Size 15-20 mm including wings Workers 5-7 mm, soldiers 12-15 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions North America Southern and East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Dampwood Termite

A large termite species that infests damp and decaying wood in forests of western North America. Its soldiers have large, dark heads with powerful mandibles.

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Did You Know?

Dampwood termites are among the largest termite species in North America and can produce soldiers with heads so large they cannot feed themselves.

African Fungus Termite

A large fungus-cultivating termite that builds complex mounds with sophisticated ventilation systems. Its mounds are among the largest biological structures on Earth.

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Did You Know?

Its mound ventilation system maintains internal temperatures within 1 degree Celsius despite external fluctuations of 40 degrees.