Malaccensis Fungus Termite vs Crowned Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malaccensis Fungus Termite Crowned Stick Insect
Scientific Name Macrotermes malaccensis Onchestus rentzi
Order Blattodea Phasmatodea
Family Termitidae Phasmatidae
Size 5-14 mm 80-120 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Herbivores
Regions Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Malaccensis Fungus Termite

A large mound-building fungus termite found in the rainforests of peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Colonies construct prominent earthen mounds up to 2 meters tall on the forest floor. Workers are dimorphic with major and minor size classes.

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Did You Know?

The mounds serve as critical habitat for many other species, including snakes, geckos, and beetles that nest in the stable temperature and humidity of the termite mound.

Crowned Stick Insect

An Australian stick insect with distinctive crown-like structures on its head. It inhabits rainforests in tropical Queensland and is rarely encountered.

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Did You Know?

The function of the bizarre crown-like head structures in this species remains unclear, though they may play a role in species recognition or camouflage disruption.