Malaysian Tree Termite vs Snouted Harvester Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malaysian Tree Termite Snouted Harvester Termite
Scientific Name Hospitalitermes hospitalis Trinervitermes geminatus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size 3-5 mm Workers 3-4 mm, soldiers 4-5 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal)
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

Snouted Harvester Termite

A nasute termite common in West African savannas that harvests dry grass in large foraging columns. Soldiers defend the colony with a chemical spray from their pointed nasus.

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Did You Know?

Foraging columns of this species can strip a patch of grassland bare overnight during peak activity.