Tropical Fire Ant vs Savanna Cubitermes

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tropical Fire Ant Savanna Cubitermes
Scientific Name Solenopsis geminata Cubitermes severus
Order Hymenoptera Blattodea
Family Formicidae Termitidae
Size 2-6 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Seed Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Pantropical West Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tropical Fire Ant

A pantropical fire ant with large-headed major workers specialized for seed milling. It is one of the oldest known invasive ant species, spread globally through colonial trade routes.

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Did You Know?

It was likely transported around the world in soil ballast of Spanish galleons during the 16th century.

Savanna Cubitermes

A soil-feeding termite building characteristic mushroom-shaped mounds in West African savannas. Workers process large amounts of mineral soil for organic nutrients. The distinctive mound cap sheds rainwater away from the colony.

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Did You Know?

The mound's cap structure is added in stages, with each new layer extending outward like an umbrella to protect lower portions from heavy tropical rains.