South American Tree Termite vs Congo Floor Maggot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Tree Termite | Congo Floor Maggot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nasutitermes similis | Auchmeromyia senegalensis |
| Order | Blattodea | Diptera |
| Family | Termitidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Tree Termite
A common Neotropical nasute termite building carton nests on trees throughout South American forests. Colonies are moderately large with well-organized soldier defense. Workers forage along covered galleries on tree bark.
Did You Know?
Multiple carton nests of this species in a single tree can be interconnected by covered highways running along branches, forming a super-colony network.
Congo Floor Maggot Fly
A yellowish-brown blow fly whose larvae are unique among Diptera in being temporary ectoparasites that feed on sleeping humans. Larvae live in the dirt floors of huts and emerge at night to feed on the blood of sleeping people, then retreat into the floor. Adults do not bite.
Did You Know?
It is the only known fly whose larvae feed on human blood like a bedbug, making it a unique case of larval hematophagy.