Decomposers
Guides
Eurythrips
Eurythrips is a genus of thrips in the family Phlaeothripidae, established by Hinds in 1902. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Members of this genus are fungus-feeding thrips, a characteristic common to many Phlaeothripidae. The genus has been documented through limited observations and taxonomic study.
Fuchsina
Fuchsina is a genus of minute brown scavenger beetles (family Latridiidae) established by Fall in 1899. The genus contains at least two described species: Fuchsina occulta (the type species) and Fuchsina arida. These beetles are part of the diverse assemblage of small, cryptic beetles associated with decomposing plant matter and fungal growth.
Galumna
Galumna is a genus of oribatid mites in the family Galumnidae, established by Heyden in 1826. The genus contains over 160 accepted species, with a small number organized under subgenera. These mites are part of the diverse soil-dwelling oribatid fauna that plays important roles in decomposition processes.
Graphisurus
Graphisurus is a genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) containing five North American species. Members are medium-sized beetles with distinctive elytral patterning. The genus exhibits notable host plant fidelity, with individual species specializing on particular tree genera: G. triangulifer primarily on Celtis (hackberry), G. despectus on Carya (hickory), and G. fasciatus on Quercus (oak). Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Habrocerinae
Habrocerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing two genera: Habrocerus and Nomimocerus. Members are characterized by extremely slender antennomeres and compact, sublimuloid body form. The subfamily is primarily associated with forest litter, wood debris, and fungi. Habrocerus, with three species, is the only genus recorded from North America.
Heleomyzidae
Sun flies, Heleomyzid flies
Heleomyzidae is a family of small to medium-sized flies in the order Diptera, comprising over 740 described species in approximately 76 genera. The family is distributed worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the Holarctic region. Adults are frequently observed at lights in early spring and late fall. Larval ecology is diverse, with many species associated with decaying organic matter, fungi, carrion, or bird nests.
Heleomyzinae
Heleomyzinae is a subfamily of true flies (Diptera) within the family Heleomyzidae. The group contains approximately 17-19 genera and over 400 described species, though species-level diversity remains incompletely documented. These flies are generally small to medium-sized and are primarily associated with decomposing organic matter. The subfamily is widely distributed but individual species are often poorly known.
Hermannia
Hermannia is a genus of oribatid mites in the family Hermanniidae, established by Nicolet in 1855. These mites are characterized by a stocky body form and distinctive gastronotal setal ontogeny. The genus has a holarctic distribution with species found in arctic tundra, temperate forests, and Mediterranean regions. Several species have been well-studied including H. scabra, H. reticulata, and H. gibba, with research focusing on morphological development, population ecology, and symbiotic microorganisms.
Hermanniellidae
Hermanniellidae is a family of oribatid mites (order Sarcoptiformes) containing approximately 9 genera and at least 50 described species. The family was established by Grandjean in 1934 and belongs to the superfamily Hermannielloidea within the group Pycnonoticae. Genera include Hermanniella, Hermannobates, Ampullobates, and Sacculobates, among others.
Hermanniidae
Hermanniidae is a family of oribatid mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, containing at least three genera—Hermannia, Neohermannia, and Galapagacarus—with approximately 80 described species. Members are primarily soil-dwelling mites with holarctic and pantropical distributions, including significant diversity in Australian wet forests and the Philippines. The family is characterized by stocky body morphology and distinctive setal arrangements that vary among species.
Hexatomini
Hexatomini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies (family Limoniidae) comprising approximately 16 genera and at least 250 described species. The tribe includes several well-known genera such as Hexatoma, Limnophila, and Elephantomyia. Members are generally small to medium-sized crane flies distinguished from related tribes by specific wing venation patterns and genitalia structures. The group has a cosmopolitan distribution with species documented across multiple continents.
Histiostomatoidea
Histiostomatoidea is a superfamily of mites within the suborder Astigmata (Sarcoptiformes). Members are characterized by highly modified mouthparts adapted for feeding on decomposing organic matter and associated microorganisms. The group includes families such as Histiostomatidae and Guanolichidae. Many species exhibit phoretic relationships with insects, using carriers for dispersal.
Hololeptini
clown beetles
Hololeptini is a tribe of clown beetles (family Histeridae) comprising approximately 6 genera and more than 130 described species. Members are characterized by their compact, often flattened body form and association with decomposing organic matter. The tribe includes the genus Hololepta, which contains some of the largest histerid beetles. Hololeptini was established by Hope in 1840.
Holostrophus
polypore fungus beetles
Holostrophus is a genus of small beetles in the family Tetratomidae, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The genus contains seventeen described species distributed across North America and Asia. These beetles are closely associated with bracket fungi (polypores) on decaying wood. The genus was established by G.H. Horn in 1888.
Hypocyphtini
Hypocyphtini is a tribe of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae) established by Laporte de Castelnau in 1835. Members of this tribe are small to minute beetles characterized by compact body forms and reduced or modified wing structures. The tribe is distinguished from related aleocharine tribes primarily by genitalic and mouthpart morphology. Hypocyphtini species are primarily associated with decaying organic matter and are found across multiple continents, though individual species tend to have narrow distributions.
Isotomidae
Smooth Springtails
Isotomidae is a large family of springtails in the order Entomobryomorpha, characterized by elongated, smooth-bodied forms. The family contains approximately 109 genera and is distributed across the Holarctic region and globally. Members are typically found in soil, leaf litter, and under bark, where they contribute to decomposition processes. The family has been subject to taxonomic revision, with subfamily-level classifications undergoing reevaluation based on molecular phylogenetics.
Leiodidae
Round Fungus Beetles
Leiodidae is a globally distributed family of small beetles containing approximately 3,800 described species. Commonly known as round fungus beetles, many species exhibit a compact, globular body form, though some are more elongated. The family encompasses diverse ecological specializations including fungivory, detritivory, carrion-feeding, and subterranean cave-dwelling. About half of all described species are flightless due to reduced or absent wings. The tribe Leptodirini represents one of the most diverse radiations of subterranean animals, with over 1,300 species adapted to cave habitats.
Leiodini
round fungus beetles
Leiodini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. The tribe contains over 400 described species distributed across 19 genera. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with fungal habitats, particularly decomposing fungi and related organic matter. The group was established by Fleming in 1821 and represents a significant component of the beetle fauna in forest ecosystems.
Litochropus
Litochropus is a genus of small beetles in the family Phalacridae, established by Casey in 1890. Members of this genus are among the least studied phalacrid beetles, with very few documented observations. The genus is characterized by minute body size and association with fungal habitats. As with other phalacrids, these beetles likely inhabit decaying plant matter and fungal fruiting bodies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lohmannoidea
Lohmannoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (Sarcoptiformes: Oribatida) characterized by reduced body size and simplified morphology relative to other oribatid groups. Members are primarily soil-dwelling decomposers found in forest litter and organic substrates. The superfamily includes families such as Lohmanniidae and Nanhermanniidae. These mites play roles in nutrient cycling but remain poorly studied compared to more diverse oribatid superfamilies.
Lygistorrhina
long-beaked fungus gnats
Lygistorrhina is a genus of fungus gnats characterized by elongated mouthparts. The genus was established by Skuse in 1890 and contains at least 20 described species. Members are classified in the family Keroplatidae (sometimes treated as Lygistorrhinidae). These insects are part of the diverse Diptera fauna associated with fungal habitats.
Lygistorrhinidae
Long-beaked Fungus Gnats
Lygistorrhinidae is a small family of flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as long-beaked fungus gnats. The family contains approximately 7 genera and at least 30 described species. These insects are distinguished by their elongated mouthparts and association with fungal habitats. They are relatively poorly studied compared to other fungus gnat families, with limited biological and ecological documentation.
Merohister
clown beetles
Merohister is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Reitter in 1909. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe and Asia. One species, Merohister ariasi, has been the subject of detailed biological study including descriptions of its larval and nymphal stages. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Histeridae family, which are generally associated with decomposing organic matter.
Metophthalmus americanus
Metophthalmus americanus is a minute beetle in the family Latridiidae (plaster beetles). Members of this family are among the smallest beetles, with adults typically measuring less than 2 millimeters in length. The genus Metophthalmus contains species associated with moist, decaying organic matter.
Mezira
flat bugs
Mezira is a genus of flat bugs in the family Aradidae containing over 70 described species. Members are characterized by dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living in confined spaces under bark and in leaf litter. The genus exhibits specialized morphological adaptations for mycetophagy, including elongated stylets and modified mouthpart sensilla for feeding on fungal mycelia and fruiting bodies.
Micropezidae
stilt-legged flies
Micropezidae is a family of acalyptrate muscoid flies comprising approximately 500 species in 50 genera and five subfamilies. Commonly called stilt-legged flies, they are distinguished by extraordinarily elongated middle and hind legs, with markedly smaller fore legs. Adults range from 3–16 mm and exhibit remarkable mimicry of ants, wasps, and ichneumonid wasps. The family is most diverse in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly the Neotropics, and is absent from New Zealand and Macquarie Island. Larval biology remains poorly known, with development occurring in decaying vegetation, manure, fungi, and in some species, living plant roots.
Milesiini
Xylotini
Milesiini is a large, diverse tribe of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the subfamily Eristalinae. Adults frequently exhibit mimicry of wasps or hornets. The tribe encompasses numerous genera including Milesia, Xylota, Syritta, Chalcosyrphus, Blera, and Criorhina. Many species are saproxylic, with larvae developing in decaying wood or under bark.
Mixonomata
Mixonomata is an infraorder of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1969. This group comprises soil-dwelling mites characterized by a distinctive mix of morphological features that separate them from other oribatid lineages. Members of Mixonomata are primarily found in forest litter and soil habitats where they contribute to decomposition processes. The infraorder includes several families and represents a significant component of microarthropod diversity in terrestrial ecosystems.
Mochlozetidae
Mochlozetidae is a family of oribatid mites (beetle mites) in the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1960. The family comprises approximately 12 genera and at least 50 described species. These mites are classified within the superfamily Oripodoidea and the group Poronoticae. They are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna that contributes to decomposition processes.
Monommatini
monommatid beetles, opossum beetles
Monommatini is a tribe of beetles within the ironclad beetle family Zopheridae, containing approximately 15 genera and 300 described species. These beetles are found worldwide, with highest diversity in Madagascar. They are strongly associated with decaying plant matter, particularly the dry rotting cambium of trees and plants in the family Agavaceae. Historically treated as a separate family (Monommidae) or subfamily (Monommatinae), they are now classified as a tribe within Zopherinae. Recent authors have proposed the common name 'opossum beetles' for this group.
Monotoma
Monotoma is a genus of small beetles in the family Monotomidae, first described by Herbst in 1793. The genus contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents. At least one species, Monotoma testacea, has been reared in laboratory conditions, revealing a rapid life cycle of 34–42 days from egg to adult. The genus is divided into subgenera, with morphological differences in larval setae proposed as diagnostic characters.
Muscidae
House Flies and Allies, House Flies, Stable Flies
Muscidae is a family of flies in the superfamily Muscoidea containing nearly 4,000 described species across over 100 genera. The family exhibits diverse feeding strategies: adults may be predatory, hematophagous, saprophagous, or feed on plant and animal exudates including sugar, sweat, tears, and blood. Larvae develop in varied habitats including decaying vegetation, soil, carrion, and freshwater. While some species are synanthropic and of medical importance, most species are not associated with human habitation.
Muscinae
Muscinae is a subfamily of muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) comprising approximately 10 genera and numerous species worldwide. The group includes well-known species such as the house fly (Musca domestica) and related genera including Pyrellia, Ophyra, and Orthellia. Members are characterized by specific morphological features of the adult and immature stages that distinguish them from the sister subfamily Stomoxyinae. The subfamily has significant sanitary and forensic importance due to the synanthropic habits of several species.
Mycetophilini
fungus gnats
Mycetophilini is a tribe of fungus gnats within the family Mycetophilidae, comprising approximately 8 genera and at least 220 described species. Members are small to medium-sized flies associated with fungal habitats. The tribe is distinguished from related groups primarily by genitalic characters and wing venation patterns. Adults are generally found in moist, shaded environments where their larval food sources occur.
Nanosella
Nanosella is a genus of featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae) described by Motschulsky in 1869. Members of this genus are among the smallest known beetles, with body lengths often measuring less than 1 mm. The genus belongs to the tribe Nanosellini, which contains some of the most miniaturized insects in the world. These beetles inhabit decaying organic matter where they feed on fungal spores and hyphae.
Neoliodoidea
Neoliodoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna, contributing to decomposition processes. The group is relatively poorly studied compared to other oribatid superfamilies, with limited species-level documentation.
Nitidulidae
sap beetles, sap-feeding beetles, picnic beetles
Nitidulidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles, with approximately 4,500 described species worldwide and 173 species in North America. Members exhibit highly variable feeding habits, ranging from sap-feeding to scavenging on carrion, fermenting fruits, fungi, and stored products. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly in tree nut crops and honey bee colonies. The family has gained recent attention as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum), with beetles transmitting fungal spores from infected to healthy oak trees. Some species have been successfully deployed in bioconversion systems to recycle agricultural waste.
Nossidium
Nossidium is a genus of minute featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae) established by Erichson in 1845. It belongs to the subfamily Nossidiinae, one of the smaller lineages within this family of extremely small beetles. Members of this genus are among the smallest beetles known, with body lengths often below 1 mm. The genus has been documented from northern European localities.
Odontosciara
dark-winged fungus gnats
Odontosciara is a genus of dark-winged fungus gnats in the family Sciaridae, established by Rübsaamen in 1908. The genus contains at least 30 described species. Members of this genus are small flies associated with moist, decaying organic matter where their larvae develop.
Omalodini
clown beetles
Omalodini is a tribe of clown beetles (family Histeridae) comprising at least two genera and more than 60 described species. The tribe was redefined in 2015 to include only the genera Ebonius and Omalodes. Members are distributed across Latin America with some species extending into the southern United States. Available ecological data are limited to a few species in the genus Scapomegas, which are associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter in forest biomes.
Oniscidae
sow bugs, woodlice
Oniscidae is a family of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) within the suborder Oniscidea. The family includes the common woodlouse Oniscus asellus and at least six confirmed genera: Oniscus, Oroniscus, Phalloniscus, Rabdoniscus, Rodoniscus, and Sardoniscus. Members are detritivores that contribute to decomposition and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Some species exhibit behavioral sensitivity to environmental contaminants, suggesting potential use as bioindicators.
Oppiidae
Oppiidae is a large and diverse family of oribatid mites comprising over 1000 described species. These microarthropods inhabit soil and litter layers across varied terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, from coastal sands to forest floors and grasslands. The family is taxonomically complex with numerous genera, many of which have restricted distributions or are poorly studied in particular regions such as Mongolia and Korea.
Osorius
unmargined rove beetles
Osorius is a genus of unmargined rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Guérin-Méneville in 1829. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed primarily in North America. Members of Osorius are characterized by the absence of lateral margins on the elytra, a trait that distinguishes them within the subfamily Osoriinae. These beetles are ground-dwelling and associated with moist, decaying organic matter.
Palpada
Plushback Flies
Palpada is a genus of 85 species of flower flies (hoverflies) in the tribe Eristalini, distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Adults are often colorful and bee-like in appearance. The genus is distinguished from related Eristalini genera by specific morphological characters including uniform eye pile, pale hairs on the meron, and distinctive wing venation. Larvae are aquatic 'rat-tailed' maggots with extensible breathing siphons that allow survival in low-oxygen environments.
Paracladura
winter crane flies
Paracladura is a genus of winter crane flies (family Trichoceridae) comprising more than 30 described species. Adults are active during winter months, an unusual trait among insects. The genus is distinguished from other trichocerids by wing venation patterns. Paracladura is the least diverse of the three North American trichocerid genera, with one species documented in western North America.
Phenopelopidae
Phenopelopidae is a family of oribatid mites comprising 4 genera and approximately 106 species. Adults are small (400–900 μm), typically dark brown to black, with distinctive flat blade-like lamellae and movable pteromorphs. Juveniles are soft-bodied, light brown, and possess plicate cuticle. These mites inhabit forest floor microhabitats and appear to be primarily fungal feeders.
Phora
scuttle flies, hump-backed flies
Phora is a genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, containing at least 90 described species. These small, hump-backed flies are characterized by their distinctive thoracic hump and reduced wing venation. The genus has a primarily Holarctic distribution, with records from Scandinavia and other northern regions. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Phoridae family, which includes species with varied ecological roles including decomposers, parasitoids, and associates of social insects.
Phoridae
scuttle flies, humpbacked flies, coffin flies
Phoridae is a family of small, hump-backed flies commonly known as scuttle flies, humpbacked flies, or coffin flies. The family contains approximately 4,000 described species in 230 genera, making it one of the most diverse families of Diptera. Members are characterized by their distinctive escape behavior of running rapidly across surfaces rather than flying, and by a pronounced thoracic hump visible in lateral view. The family exhibits extraordinary biological diversity, with lifestyles ranging from scavenging and fungivory to parasitism of social insects, including highly specialized ant parasitoids in the genus Pseudacteon that are used for biological control of invasive fire ants.
Phthiracaroidea
ptyctimous mites
Phthiracaroidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (ptyctimous mites) characterized by a unique defensive mechanism: the ability to retract their legs and chelicerae into a protective cavity and close the body using a ventral scissure. The group includes families Phthiracaridae, Synichotritiidae, and related taxa. Members are primarily soil-dwelling decomposers found in leaf litter and humus across diverse geographic regions including the Palearctic and Southeast Asia.
Platystomini
fungus weevils
Platystomini is a tribe of fungus weevils within the beetle family Anthribidae. The tribe contains at least 24 described genera, with over 100 species recorded in North America and additional species distributed globally. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with fungal hosts and their morphological adaptations for this ecological niche. The genus Platystomos, established in 1791, serves as the type genus for the tribe.