Soldier-heavy Termite vs Spinifex Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Soldier-heavy Termite | Spinifex Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pericapritermes nitobei | Nasutitermes longipennis |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Termitidae | Termitidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | Workers 4-5 mm; soldiers 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Pacific Islands | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Spinifex Termite
A mound-building termite common across the dry interior of Australia. Its hard earthen mounds dot the landscape of arid grasslands and are a key food source for echidnas.
Did You Know?
Short-beaked echidnas tear open the rock-hard mounds with powerful claws to feast on the termites inside.