Decomposer-habitat
Guides
Aclista
Aclista is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae. These insects are part of the diverse community of proctotrupomorph wasps that develop as parasitoids of other insects. Members of Diapriidae are generally associated with decaying organic matter where they parasitize the larvae of Diptera and other insects.
Alluaudomyia paraspina
Alluaudomyia paraspina is a species of predaceous midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Wirth in 1952. The immature stages (larvae and pupae) develop in aquatic habitats rich in decaying organic matter. As a member of the genus Alluaudomyia, it is presumed to be predatory in both larval and adult stages, though specific prey records remain limited.
Gabrius appendiculatus
Gabrius appendiculatus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Sharp in 1910. It is native to Europe and Russia, with introduced populations established in eastern Canada. As a member of the tribe Staphylinini, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory rove beetles commonly found in decaying organic matter.
Gymnodamaeoidea
A superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1954. Members are primarily soil-dwelling microarthropods found in forest litter, mosses, decaying wood, and organic and mineral soil layers. The group includes genera such as Licnodamaeus, Plesiodamaeus, Pedrocortesella, and Pleodamaeus. Species exhibit distinctive cerotegumental ornamentation and setal patterns useful for identification.
Hemiscolopendra
bark centipedes
Hemiscolopendra is a genus of bark centipedes in the family Scolopendridae, comprising approximately six described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. These centipedes are commonly found in wooded habitats where they inhabit bark, leaf litter, and other decaying organic matter. The genus was established by Kraepelin in 1903 and represents a moderately diverse lineage within the large-bodied scolopendrid centipedes.
Philonthus triangulum
Philonthus triangulum is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to a large genus of predatory beetles commonly found in decomposing organic matter and other habitats where small invertebrate prey is abundant. Like other members of Philonthus, it exhibits the characteristic shortened elytra and exposed abdominal segments typical of rove beetles. The species is recorded from western North America including the Pacific Northwest and southwestern United States, extending into Mexico.
Platydracus phoenicurus
Platydracus phoenicurus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. The genus Platydracus contains many of the larger rove beetles, with species typically measuring 20-35 millimeters in length. Like other rove beetles, members of this genus have shortened forewings (elytra) that expose most of the abdomen, and are known for rapid movement and defensive secretion of foul substances. The specific epithet 'phoenicurus' refers to the reddish tail or abdomen, a characteristic coloration feature of this species.
Platydracus sepulchralis
Platydracus sepulchralis is a species of large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is a member of the diverse Staphylininae subfamily and belongs to the genus Platydracus, which includes many of the larger rove beetles. The species is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Teretrius placitus
clown beetle
Teretrius placitus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Horn in 1880. The species belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group characterized by minute body size and reduced elytra. It is known from limited collection records in the southwestern United States, specifically Nevada. As with most Teretriini, detailed biological information remains sparse due to its cryptic habits and small size.