Protermes Inquiline Termite vs American Slave-Maker Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Protermes Inquiline Termite American Slave-Maker Ant
Scientific Name Protermes prorepens Polyergus lucidus
Order Blattodea Hymenoptera
Family Termitidae Formicidae
Size 2-4 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Fungus Feeders Omnivores
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Protermes Inquiline Termite

A small inquiline termite that lives within the mounds of larger fungus-growing termite species in Africa. Colonies are tiny and discrete, occupying small chambers within the walls of the host mound. Workers feed on fungal material.

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Did You Know?

Inquiline termites like this species are the cuckoos of the termite world, sneaking into other species' elaborate mounds to exploit their resources.

American Slave-Maker Ant

A North American slave-making ant that conducts well-organized raids on Formica colonies. New queens infiltrate host colonies by killing the resident queen.

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Did You Know?

During raids, they release propaganda pheromones that cause defending ants to flee or fight each other instead of the raiders.