Malaysian Tree Termite vs Acrobat Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malaysian Tree Termite Acrobat Ant
Scientific Name Hospitalitermes hospitalis Crematogaster scutellaris
Order Blattodea Hymenoptera
Family Termitidae Formicidae
Size 3-5 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo Southern Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Malaysian Tree Termite

A remarkable open-air foraging nasutitermine termite from Southeast Asian rainforests. Workers forage in exposed columns along tree trunks and branches to collect lichen and algae. Nasute soldiers line the edges of foraging columns to provide defense.

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Did You Know?

Foraging columns can stretch over 100 meters through the forest canopy, with soldiers stationed at regular intervals along the exposed trail like sentries.

Acrobat Ant

A Mediterranean ant with a heart-shaped abdomen it raises over its thorax when alarmed. They nest in dead wood, old walls, and cork oak bark.

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Did You Know?

They can raise their abdomen over their head to smear venom on attackers, earning them the name acrobat ants.