Soldier-heavy Termite vs Mountain Ringlet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Soldier-heavy Termite | Mountain Ringlet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pericapritermes nitobei | Erebia epiphron |
| Order | Blattodea | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Termitidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 32-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Pacific Islands | Mountain ranges of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Scotland, Lake District) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (vulnerable to climate change) |
Soldier-heavy Termite
A soil-feeding termite found across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, notable for its snapping-mandible soldiers. Workers consume humus and organic-rich soil. Colonies build diffuse subterranean nests in forest soils.
Did You Know?
Soldiers have asymmetric mandibles that snap shut with tremendous force, producing an audible click that can be heard by researchers excavating the nest.
Mountain Ringlet
A small dark brown butterfly with orange-ringed eyespots found only at high altitudes. In Britain it is the only truly alpine butterfly, flying above 500 metres.
Did You Know?
It only flies in sunshine and immediately drops into the grass the moment a cloud covers the sun.