Indian White Termite vs South American Tree Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian White Termite South American Tree Termite
Scientific Name Odontotermes horni Nasutitermes similis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size 4-8 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Gall Makers
Regions India, Sri Lanka Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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.