Indian Fungus-growing Termite vs Powder Post Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Fungus-growing Termite Powder Post Termite
Scientific Name Odontotermes obesus Cryptotermes primus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Kalotermitidae
Size Workers 4-6 mm, soldiers 7-10 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Fungus Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Northern and eastern Australia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Indian Fungus-growing Termite

A major fungus-cultivating termite pest in the Indian subcontinent. It causes significant damage to crops, trees, and wooden structures.

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Did You Know?

It is considered one of the most economically destructive termite species in South Asia.

Powder Post Termite

An Australian drywood termite that infests dry structural timber in buildings across tropical and subtropical regions. Colonies are small and produce fine frass pellets that are ejected from the wood. The species rarely requires soil contact.

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Did You Know?

Infestations often go unnoticed for years until structural timber is so weakened that it collapses, because workers consume wood from the inside out.