Turneri Carton Termite vs African Nasute Mound Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Turneri Carton Termite African Nasute Mound Termite
Scientific Name Microcerotermes turneri Nasutitermes latifrons
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size 3-5 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Northern and eastern Australia West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Turneri Carton Termite

An Australian arboreal termite that builds small, round carton nests on the trunks of eucalyptus trees. Colonies are small to medium-sized. Workers consume weathered and partially decayed wood.

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Did You Know?

The nests are surprisingly hard and durable, persisting on trees for years after the colony has vacated, and are sometimes used by other insects as shelter.

African Nasute Mound Termite

A mound-building nasute termite found in West and Central African forests. Colonies construct carton mounds at ground level or on tree bases. Soldiers have a broad head with a short, wide nasute projection for spraying defensive terpenes.

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Did You Know?

The defensive secretion of nasute soldiers contains terpene compounds that are not only sticky but also toxic to small arthropod predators.