Malagasy Mound-building Termite vs Grandidier's Hissing Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Mound-building Termite Grandidier's Hissing Cockroach
Scientific Name Microcerotermes subtilis Gromphadorhina grandidieri
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Blaberidae
Size 3-5 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Wood Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Madagascar Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Malagasy Mound-building Termite

A small termite species that constructs conspicuous carton mounds on tree trunks or the ground. Workers are pale and soft-bodied with darkened head capsules.

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Did You Know?

Its dark carton mounds are made from a mixture of soil, chewed wood, and fecal material cemented together, and they can persist for years even after the colony dies.

Grandidier's Hissing Cockroach

A robust hissing cockroach endemic to Madagascar with a dark brown body. Smaller than the common hissing cockroach but equally vocal.

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Did You Know?

Males use their large pronotal horns to ram opponents during territorial battles.