Madagascar Termite vs Giant Northern Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Termite | Giant Northern Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coptotermes truncatus | Mastotermes darwiniensis |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhinotermitidae | Mastotermitidae |
| Size | 4-8 mm (workers); 5-9 mm (soldiers) | 10-15mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Madagascar | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Madagascar Termite
A subterranean termite with soft, pale workers and dark-headed soldiers that have elongated, rounded heads equipped with a frontal pore for secreting defensive fluids.
Did You Know?
Soldiers defend the colony by squirting a sticky, irritating fluid from a gland on their head, entangling attackers like ants.
Giant Northern Termite
The most primitive living termite and the only surviving member of its family. It retains many cockroach-like features including laying eggs in cockroach-like oothecae. It is extremely destructive to timber.
Did You Know?
It is a living fossil, the most primitive termite alive, retaining cockroach-like features that link termites to their ancestors.