Dampwood Termite vs Black Mound Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dampwood Termite Black Mound Termite
Scientific Name Zootermopsis angusticollis Amitermes evuncifer
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Archotermopsidae Termitidae
Size 15-20 mm including wings 3-8 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast)
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.

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.