Giant Termite vs Grallatotermes Bark Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Termite Grallatotermes Bark Termite
Scientific Name Macrognathotermes sunteri Grallatotermes africanus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size Workers 6-8 mm; soldiers up to 12 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Gall Makers
Regions Australia West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Termite

One of Australia's largest termite species with soldiers bearing massive curved mandibles. It builds large dome-shaped mounds in tropical woodland.

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Did You Know?

Its soldiers have such powerful jaws they can draw blood if they bite a human finger.

Grallatotermes Bark Termite

An African arboreal termite that builds thin sheeting galleries over tree bark surfaces. Workers forage beneath these protective coverings, consuming bark and lichen. The species is common in tropical African forests.

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Did You Know?

The thin carton galleries this species builds over tree bark are so extensive they can cover entire tree trunks, making the tree appear to be coated in mud.