Sumac Gall Aphid vs Protermes Inquiline Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sumac Gall Aphid Protermes Inquiline Termite
Scientific Name Melaphis rhois Protermes prorepens
Order Hemiptera Blattodea
Family Pemphigidae Termitidae
Size 1-3 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Gall Makers Fungus Feeders
Regions Eastern North America East Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Sumac Gall Aphid

A gall-forming aphid that produces large hollow galls on sumac trees in which colonies live and reproduce. Soldier nymphs defend the gall from invaders using their thickened front legs.

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Did You Know?

Their soldier caste is composed of sterile first-instar nymphs that sacrifice their development to protect the colony.

Protermes Inquiline Termite

A small inquiline termite that lives within the mounds of larger fungus-growing termite species in Africa. Colonies are tiny and discrete, occupying small chambers within the walls of the host mound. Workers feed on fungal material.

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Did You Know?

Inquiline termites like this species are the cuckoos of the termite world, sneaking into other species' elaborate mounds to exploit their resources.