Dampwood Termite vs African Mound Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dampwood Termite African Mound Termite
Scientific Name Zootermopsis angusticollis Macrotermes michaelseni
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Archotermopsidae Termitidae
Size 15-20 mm including wings 7-12 mm workers
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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 Mound Termite

A large termite species that builds towering mounds with sophisticated ventilation systems across African savannas. The mounds maintain remarkably stable internal conditions.

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Did You Know?

The ventilation system in these termite mounds inspired the design of the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, a building that uses 90 percent less energy for climate control than conventional buildings.