Long-nosed Termite vs Macrotermes Queen

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-nosed Termite Macrotermes Queen
Scientific Name Nasutitermes longinasus Macrotermes bellicosus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size 4-6 mm 100-140 mm (queen)
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Detritivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Central America, northern South America Africa
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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Macrotermes Queen

Queens can live for over 25 years (possibly up to 50) and grow to enormous size — a single queen lays up to 30,000 eggs per day, more than any other insect.

💡

Did You Know?

A Macrotermes queen can live 25-50 years and produce up to 30,000 eggs per day — her abdomen swells so large that she becomes physically incapable of moving.