Decay-associated
Guides
Abraeini
Abraeini is a tribe of minute clown beetles within the family Histeridae, first described by MacLeay in 1819. Members of this tribe are among the smallest histerid beetles and are characterized by reduced elytra that expose several abdominal segments. They are primarily associated with decaying organic matter and have been observed in various microhabitats including dung, carrion, and fungal fruiting bodies. The tribe contains multiple genera, though species-level taxonomy remains incompletely resolved for many groups.
Anthomyza variegata
Anthomyza variegata is a species of small fly in the family Anthomyzidae, a family of acalyptrate Diptera. The species was originally described by Loew in 1863 under the basionym Anthophilina variegata. Anthomyzid flies are generally associated with decaying plant matter and fungi. The specific epithet 'variegata' suggests variable or patterned coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are sparse in available literature. The family Anthomyzidae is a small group of flies with limited ecological documentation.
Aspistinae
Aspistinae is a subfamily of minute black scavenger flies within the family Scatopsidae (order Diptera). Members of this subfamily are small, dark-colored flies associated with decaying organic matter. The subfamily is distinguished from other Scatopsidae primarily by genitalic and wing venation characters visible under magnification. Aspistinae represents one of several lineages within the Scatopsidae, a family of flies commonly found in moist, decomposing habitats.
Basalys
Basalys is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. Members are among the smallest known insects, with some species measuring less than 0.5 mm in body length. These wasps are internal parasitoids of dipteran larvae, particularly those developing in decaying organic matter. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with confirmed records from Scandinavia and other northern European regions.
Diapria
Diapria is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. These insects are primarily known as parasitoids of Diptera larvae, particularly those developing in decaying organic matter. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Taxonomic placement has been historically unstable, with some sources formerly placing species in Chalcididae.
Meromacrus
Elegant Flies
Meromacrus is a genus of 43 species of large, conspicuous hoverflies (Syrphidae) distributed from the southern United States through the Neotropics to northern Argentina and Chile. Adults are frequent flower visitors and pollinators. Larvae are saprophagous, developing in decaying plant matter including rot holes, decaying stems, and rotting cacti.
Mesosphaerocera annulicornis
Mesosphaerocera annulicornis is a species of small dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, originally described by Malloch in 1913 under the genus Sphaerocera. The species epithet 'annulicornis' refers to ringed or banded antennae, a characteristic morphological feature. It belongs to a genus of minute flies associated with decaying organic matter. The species has been documented through limited observations, with nine records on iNaturalist.
Miota
Miota is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. These insects are part of the diverse Hymenoptera fauna associated with decomposition and nutrient cycling. The genus was described by Förster in 1856. Species in this genus are poorly known, with limited published biological information available.
Neandra brunnea
pole borer, longhorned beetle
Neandra brunnea, commonly known as the pole borer, is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Parandrinae. It is unusual among cerambycids for its relatively short, bead-like antennae rather than the elongated antennae typical of the family. Adults range from 8–20 mm in length and are yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in coloration. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with adults active from March through November. Larvae bore into decaying wood, including wooden poles and posts in contact with moist soil.
Opalimosina mirabilis
lesser dung fly
Opalimosina mirabilis is a species of lesser dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, originally described as Limosina mirabilis by Collin in 1902. The species belongs to a genus of small flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter. It has been recorded from the Azores (Faial, Flores, São Miguel) as well as Denmark and Norway.
Orthosoma brunneum
Brown Prionid
Orthosoma brunneum is a large, brown longhorned beetle in the subfamily Prioninae, commonly known as the brown prionid. It is the sole species in its genus and is widely distributed across eastern North America. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to ultraviolet lights. Larvae develop in decaying logs and have been shown to tolerate and behaviorally respond to high carbon dioxide concentrations typical of their wood-boring habitat.
Ozotomerus
Ozotomerus is a genus of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae, established by Perroud in 1853. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their distinctive elongated snout and association with fungal substrates. The genus is distributed across various regions with documented observations primarily from the Americas. As with other anthribids, species in this genus are likely mycophagous, feeding on fungal growth on decaying wood and plant material.
Ponera pennsylvanica
Common Porthole Ant
Ponera pennsylvanica is a small ant species inhabiting mesic forests of the Eastern United States. Colonies are notably small, typically containing fewer than 100 workers. Nests occur in diverse microhabitats including decaying wood, soil, acorns, and leaf litter. The species belongs to the ponerine ant subfamily, characterized by relatively primitive social organization compared to more derived ant groups.
Renia rigida
litter moth
Renia rigida is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1905. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly associated with leaf litter habitats. The species has been documented in scattered localities across western and midwestern North America.
Scatopsinae
Scatopsinae is a subfamily of minute black scavenger flies (Diptera: Scatopsidae). These small, dark-colored flies are generally associated with decaying organic matter. The subfamily contains numerous genera and species distributed across diverse habitats worldwide. They are distinguished from the other scatopsid subfamily, Aspistinae, primarily by wing venation and antennal characteristics.
Suillia variegata
Suillia variegata is a Palearctic species of heleomyzid fly distributed throughout Britain and Ireland, with highest occurrence in England and Wales. The species exhibits a mixed feeding strategy, primarily mycophagous but also associated with decaying flowers, roots, and bird's nests. Adults display an earthy brown thorax with sparse hairs and a pale striped abdomen, with distinctive wing spines useful for identification. The species peaks in density during April/May and July/August.