Protermes Inquiline Termite vs Wahlberg's Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Protermes Inquiline Termite Wahlberg's Cockroach
Scientific Name Protermes prorepens Deropeltis wahlbergi
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Blattidae
Size 2-4 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Fungus Feeders Detritivores
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Southern Africa (South Africa, Mozambique)
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.

Wahlberg's Cockroach

A medium-sized black cockroach with orange wing margins found in southern Africa. It is named after the Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg.

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Did You Know?

It curls up defensively like a pillbug when handled, a behavior unusual among cockroaches.