Philippine Milk Termite vs Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Philippine Milk Termite Long-jawed Soil-feeder Termite
Scientific Name Coptotermes vastator Cubitermes ugandensis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Rhinotermitidae Termitidae
Size 4-6 mm Workers 3-5 mm, soldiers 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Wood Feeders Detritivores
Regions Philippines Uganda, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Philippine Milk Termite

The most destructive termite species in the Philippines, causing severe damage to buildings, trees, and crops. Colonies can be enormous with millions of workers. Soldiers produce a white, milky defensive secretion from the frontal gland.

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Did You Know?

This species is so destructive in the Philippines that entire coconut plantations have been devastated, leading to major government-funded control programs.

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.