Long-nosed Termite vs Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-nosed Termite Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket
Scientific Name Nasutitermes longinasus Ellipes minuta
Order Blattodea Orthoptera
Family Termitidae Tridactylidae
Size 4-6 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Central America, northern South America Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-nosed Termite

A nasute termite from Central and South American rainforests that builds carton nests on trees. Soldiers have an exceptionally elongated nasute snout for projecting defensive chemicals. Workers collect decomposing plant material from the forest floor.

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Did You Know?

The elongated nozzle of the soldier allows it to spray defensive secretions with remarkable accuracy over distances of several centimeters.

Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket

One of the smallest orthopterans in the world, barely visible to the naked eye. It lives in moist sand and mud along tropical waterways.

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Did You Know?

At just 3 mm long, it is smaller than many ants and is easily overlooked even by entomologists specifically searching for it.