Spinifex Termite vs Wood Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spinifex Termite Wood Cockroach
Scientific Name Nasutitermes longipennis Ectobius lapponicus
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Ectobiidae
Size Workers 4-5 mm; soldiers 5-6 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Grasslands Underground
Diet Herbivores Detritivores
Regions Australia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

Short-beaked echidnas tear open the rock-hard mounds with powerful claws to feast on the termites inside.

Wood Cockroach

A small outdoor cockroach that lives in European leaf litter and never enters buildings.

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Did You Know?

Unlike pest species it avoids human habitation and cannot survive indoors.