Tropical Rough-headed Termite vs Lacteus Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Rough-headed Termite | Lacteus Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heterotermes tenuis | Coptotermes lacteus |
| Order | Blattodea | Blattodea |
| Family | Rhinotermitidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Woodlands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, South America | Eastern Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tropical Rough-headed Termite
A Neotropical subterranean termite and significant sugarcane pest in Brazil. Colonies are diffuse with interconnected subterranean galleries. Workers attack the roots and lower stems of sugarcane plants, often killing them.
Did You Know?
This species causes estimated losses of over $1 billion annually to the Brazilian sugarcane industry, making it one of the most economically damaging insects in South America.
Lacteus Termite
An Australian mound-building termite that constructs distinctive dark, hard-walled mounds up to 2 meters tall. The mounds are a common sight in pastures and open woodland across eastern Australia. Workers are pale and soft-bodied with gut protozoa for cellulose digestion.
Did You Know?
Their mounds are so durable that they persist for decades after the colony dies and are sometimes used as road-building material in rural Australia.