Giant Cave Cockroach vs Mound-building Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Cave Cockroach Mound-building Termite
Scientific Name Blaberus giganteus Macrotermes gilvus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Blaberidae Termitidae
Size 65-100 mm 5-12 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Central America, northern South America Southeast Asia, from India to the Philippines
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Giant Cave Cockroach

One of the world's largest cockroach species, with a wingspan reaching 15 cm. It inhabits caves and dark forest environments in Central and South America.

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Did You Know?

It is sometimes called the Brazilian cockroach and is among the longest-bodied cockroach species in the world.

Mound-building Termite

A fungus-growing termite widespread across Southeast Asia that builds subterranean to semi-subterranean nests with low mound structures. It is a significant pest of rubber, coconut, and oil palm plantations. Workers forage via covered galleries.

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Did You Know?

In parts of Thailand and Laos, the winged reproductives of this species are fried and eaten as a popular seasonal snack during the early rainy season.