Lesser Cockroach vs Protermes Inquiline Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Cockroach Protermes Inquiline Termite
Scientific Name Ectobius panzeri Protermes prorepens
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Ectobiidae Termitidae
Size 6-9 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Detritivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe (Britain to eastern Mediterranean) East Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Lesser Cockroach

A small dark cockroach found in heathlands and open habitats across Europe. It is active during warm summer months.

💡

Did You Know?

It overwinters as an egg case (ootheca) buried in soil, hatching only when spring temperatures rise.

Protermes Inquiline Termite

A small inquiline termite that lives within the mounds of larger fungus-growing termite species in Africa. Colonies are tiny and discrete, occupying small chambers within the walls of the host mound. Workers feed on fungal material.

💡

Did You Know?

Inquiline termites like this species are the cuckoos of the termite world, sneaking into other species' elaborate mounds to exploit their resources.