Pellucid Hoverfly vs Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pellucid Hoverfly Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite
Scientific Name Volucella pellucens Cubitermes ugandensis
Order Diptera Blattodea
Family Syrphidae Termitidae
Size 14-17 mm Workers 3-5 mm, soldiers 5-7 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Scavengers Detritivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Uganda, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Pellucid Hoverfly

A large black hoverfly with a striking translucent white band across its abdomen. Its larvae are inquilines in the underground nests of social wasps.

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Did You Know?

Its translucent white abdominal band makes it look like it has a window in its body, unlike any other hoverfly.

Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite

A soil-feeding termite from East Africa that builds small pedestal-shaped mounds. It processes large amounts of soil to extract humic nutrients.

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Did You Know?

Its mounds are so mineral-rich that elephants and other mammals visit them to consume the soil for essential minerals.