Splendid Ochre vs Spinifex Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Splendid Ochre Spinifex Termite
Scientific Name Trapezites petalia Nasutitermes longipennis
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Hesperiidae Termitidae
Size 3-4 cm wingspan Workers 4-5 mm; soldiers 5-6 mm
Habitat Heathland Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Australia Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Splendid Ochre

A moderately large skipper butterfly with bright orange uppersides and mottled brown undersides. Males perch conspicuously on low vegetation to defend territories.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the largest skipper butterflies in Australia.

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.