West African Fungus-Growing Termite vs Mount Arthur Cave Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute West African Fungus-Growing Termite Mount Arthur Cave Weta
Scientific Name Macrotermes subhyalinus Miotopus diversus
Order Blattodea Orthoptera
Family Termitidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 3-18 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions West Africa, East Africa New Zealand
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

West African Fungus-Growing Termite

A widespread African termite that builds large above-ground mounds and farms Termitomyces fungi. They are an important food source for humans and wildlife across West Africa.

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Did You Know?

Their winged reproductive alates are collected and roasted as a protein-rich delicacy during annual swarming events.

Mount Arthur Cave Weta

A cave weta endemic to caves in the Nelson region of New Zealand's South Island. It has extremely long antennae and pale coloration.

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Did You Know?

It lives in some of the deepest and most remote caves in the Southern Hemisphere.