Indian White Termite vs Black Periplaneta Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian White Termite Black Periplaneta Cockroach
Scientific Name Odontotermes horni Periplaneta atra
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Blattidae
Size 4-8 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Forests Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Herbivores
Regions India, Sri Lanka West and Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Indian White Termite

A fungus-cultivating termite common in the forests and agricultural areas of the Indian subcontinent. Colonies build subterranean nests with fungus gardens. Workers are pale white and forage beneath covered runways on the soil surface.

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Did You Know?

The Termitomyces mushrooms that fruit from this species' fungus gardens are among the largest edible mushrooms in the world, with caps up to 1 meter wide.

Black Periplaneta Cockroach

A dark black cockroach from tropical Africa with a shiny exoskeleton. It is less commonly encountered than its cosmopolitan relatives.

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Did You Know?

Its uniformly jet-black coloring distinguishes it from all other Periplaneta species.