Dusky Cockroach vs South American Tree Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dusky Cockroach South American Tree Termite
Scientific Name Periplaneta nigra Nasutitermes similis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blattidae Termitidae
Size 25-32 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Gall Makers
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Dusky Cockroach

A dark-colored cockroach closely related to the American cockroach. It inhabits tropical forests across Africa.

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Did You Know?

It can often be found sharing habitats with the American cockroach in African port cities.

South American Tree Termite

A common Neotropical nasute termite building carton nests on trees throughout South American forests. Colonies are moderately large with well-organized soldier defense. Workers forage along covered galleries on tree bark.

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Did You Know?

Multiple carton nests of this species in a single tree can be interconnected by covered highways running along branches, forming a super-colony network.