Blog WotD About Glossary

Detritivore

Guides

Cubaris murina
little sea isopod, little sea roly poly, little sea pillbug, little sea pill woodlouse
Cubaris murina is a small terrestrial isopod (woodlouse) in the family Armadillidae, notable for its ability to conglobate—roll into a complete ball when disturbed. The species reaches approximately 11 mm in length and 5 mm in width. It has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions across multiple continents, with populations in the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The species has become popular in the exotic pet trade due to its bioactive utility in terrariums and the development of several color morphs through selective breeding.
isopod woodlouse pillbug conglobation bioindicator terrarium detritivore tropical
Cycloptilum trigonipalpum
forest scaly cricket
Cycloptilum trigonipalpum, known as the forest scaly cricket, is a species of scaly cricket in the family Mogoplistidae. It is a small orthopteran insect found in forested habitats across southeastern and midwestern North America. The species was first described by Rehn and Hebard in 1912. It is one of the more frequently observed members of its genus, with over 400 iNaturalist records documenting its presence.
Orthoptera Mogoplistidae North-America forest-insect detritivore
Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus
Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus is a julid millipede native to northern Europe that has been introduced to North America and is now widespread there. It reaches up to 30 mm in length and is distinguished by a smooth, flat telson rather than a projecting one. The species is common in urban and semi-natural habitats including parks, gardens, and grasslands. Activity peaks in spring and fall, with reduced presence in summer and winter.
millipede julidae introduced-species urban detritivore europe north-america
Cylisticus convexus
Curly Woodlouse
Cylisticus convexus, commonly known as the curly woodlouse, is a small terrestrial isopod first described by Charles De Geer in 1778. Native to Europe and Asia, it has been introduced to North Africa, North America, and South America. The species is notable for its ability to conglobate (roll into a ball) while retaining protruding antennae and uropods, and for possessing five pairs of pleopodal lungs—features that distinguish it from similar pillbugs.
woodlouse pill-bug terrestrial-isopod detritivore soil-invertebrate introduced-species
Cyphomyrmex
fungus-growing ants
Cyphomyrmex is a genus of small, drab-colored fungus-growing ants in the tribe Attini, found primarily in the Neotropics. These ants cultivate fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae as their primary food source, with most species growing fungal nodules rather than full mycelial gardens. Colonies are typically monogynous and small, rarely exceeding 500 workers. The genus is divided into two species complexes: the strigatus complex (South America only) and the rimosus complex (southern North America to South America). Cyphomyrmex represents a basal lineage among attine ants and serves as sister group to Mycetophylax.
fungus-growing-ants attine-ants Myrmicinae Neotropical mutualism fungiculture Leucocoprineae monogyny parasitoid-wasps social-parasitism chemical-ecology alkaloid-venom nest-architecture behavioral-plasticity cytogenetics chromosome-evolution Guiana-Shield Brazil Panama Puerto-Rico Mesoamerica Argentina United-States Texas California Florida yeast-gardens mycelial-gardens rimosus-complex strigatus-complex age-polyethism trophallaxis thanatosis feigning-death Diapriidae Acanthopria Mimopriella Megalomyrmex social-parasite C.-longiscapus C.-transversus C.-laevigatus C.-rimosus C.-minutus C.-lectus C.-cornutus C.-costatus pheromones 3-octanol farnesenes trail-following alarm-signal diketopiperazines antifungal-compounds defensive-behavior colony-defense flight-response recruitment Lanchester's-laws karyotype chromosome-number rDNA microsatellites FISH chamber-depth gallery-length fire-disturbance savanna-forest-transition arboreal-nesting clay-auricles soil-nests wood-nests epiphytic-nests moss-nests coconut-nests desiccation-susceptibility moist-habitats basal-attine phylogenetics sister-group chemical-evolution venom-alkaloids behavioral-manipulation host-parasite-interaction ecosystem-engineering nutrient-cycling decomposition organic-matter insect-feces exoskeleton-substrate garden-transplantation worker-polymorphism queen-number dealate-queens alates brood-care ecdysis-assistance foraging sugar-collection plant-exudates fungal-domestication nodule-cultivation mycelium-cultivation agricultural-behavior nest-entrance funnel-structure exposed-gardens symbiont-diversity geographic-variation research-model evolutionary-biology mutualism-evolution ant-fungus-coevolution chemical-communication social-insects eusociality colony-size small-colonies slow-movement crypsis debris-mimicry predation-avoidance parasitoid-defense wasp-killing colony-abandonment resource-rescue thief-ant-defense venom-resistance toxicity-tolerance behavioral-suppression playing-dead alkaloid-manipulation fungal-secondary-metabolites antibacterial-compounds antiviral-compounds garden-protection microbial-defense nest-microclimate temperature-regulation humidity-requirements depth-effects fire-adaptation disturbance-ecology habitat-specificity substrate-specialization clay-construction soil-manipulation architectural-plasticity vertical-nesting embankment-nesting overhang-nesting pendant-nests swallow-nest-mimicry research-accessibility field-biology tropical-ecology Neotropical-myrmecology biodiversity conservation invasive-species-context native-species biological-control Integrated-Pest-Management agricultural-ecology forest-ecology savanna-ecology transitional-habitats disturbed-areas urban-ecology anthropogenic-impact climate-sensitivity habitat-limitation range-boundaries dispersal colonization establishment population-dynamics demography colony-density nest-spacing intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition territoriality resource-defense combat-behavior aggression-levels recruitment-behavior chemical-signaling alarm-pheromones trail-pheromones recognition-cues cuticular-hydrocarbons venom-composition defensive-secretions mandibular-glands Dufour's-gland metapleural-glands antibiotic-production grooming-behavior fungal-inoculation integumental-fungi yeast-growth larval-grooming garden-maintenance substrate-preparation fecal-fertilizer anal-trophallaxis crop-regurgitation fluid-application drying-behavior nodule-formation transplantation-behavior garden-establishment ceiling-gardens root-association architectural-innovation nest-site-selection microhabitat-choice moisture-requirements thermal-buffering predator-avoidance parasite-avoidance disease-resistance social-immunity collective-behavior division-of-labor task-allocation temporal-polyethism worker-age nurse-workers forager-workers soldier-caste-absence monomorphism worker-size-variation queen-worker-differentiation reproductive-caste gyne-production male-production seasonal-reproduction colony-founding claustral-founding non-claustral-founding fungal-inoculum founding-queen first-worker-generation nutritional-dependency fat-reserves metabolic-adaptation digestive-physiology enzyme-complement fungal-enzyme lignocellulose-degradation nutritional-mutualism obligate-mutualism vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission symbiont-switching cultivar-replacement garden-failure colony-mortality population-turnover generation-time longevity survivorship life-expectancy aging senescence reproductive-investment colony-growth colony-decline budding fission reproduction-mode genetic-structure relatedness mating-system nuptial-flight mate-choice sperm-storage colony-odor nestmate-recognition foreign-rejection agonistic-behavior territorial-marking boundary-defense raiding-behavior robbing-behavior cleptobiosis dulosis slavery inquilinism guest-ants myrmecophiles nest-associates commensalism inquilines parasite-tolerance host-manipulation venom-alkaloid pyrrolidine indolizidine piperidine nonanal farnesene sesquiterpene agriculture-chemical gaster-extract chemical-diversity chemical-simplicity evolutionary-precursor derived-chemistry biosynthetic-pathway semiochemical infochemical communication information-transfer colony-organization social-structure polygyny queen-condition dealation wing-shedding ovarian-development fecundity egg-laying brood-development developmental-rate temperature-dependence humidity-dependence food-availability nutritional-quality fungal-productivity garden-yield worker-production colony-efficiency energy-allocation resource-allocation foraging-efficiency search-behavior prey-detection food-retrieval transport-behavior load-size travel-speed path-integration orientation navigation homing-behavior learning memory experience individual-recognition context-dependent-behavior threat-assessment risk-management predator-inspection alarm-propagation recruitment-activation mobilization colony-response emergency-behavior panic-response controlled-response defensive-strategy offensive-strategy escalation de-escalation conflict-resolution fight-avoidance retreat-behavior surrender-signal dominance-hierarchy reproductive-skew worker-policing queen-policing egg-eating oviposition-suppression reproductive-conflict kin-conflict worker-reproduction male-production-by-workers anarchy social-parasitism-detection parasite-recognition enemy-recognition nest-intrusion nest-defense perimeter-defense chamber-defense brood-defense queen-defense self-sacrifice suicidal-defense autothysis sting-use mandible-use spraying-behavior gaster-flexion chemical-defense mechanical-defense armor cuticle-thickness pigmentation masquerade mimicry Batesian-mimicry Muellerian-mimicry aggressive-mimicry Wasmannian-mimicry myrmecophily myrmecophagy ant-plant-mutualism trophobiosis extrafloral-nectary domatia plant-ant-interaction herbivore-defense seed-dispersal pollination ecosystem-service functional-role trophic-position detritivore decomposer saprotroph necrotroph fungivore omnivore predator scavenger trophic-level energy-flow carbon-cycling nitrogen-cycling phosphorus-cycling soil-formation bioturbation aeration water-infiltration microbial-community bacteria actinomycetes Pseudonocardia disease-suppression garden-hygiene weeding-behavior pruning-behavior fungal-grooming antibiotic-application mutualist-protection agricultural-disease crop-pathology escovopsis garden-parasite competitor-fungus pathogen-defense immune-response individual-immunity grooming allogrooming self-grooming nest-cleaning refuse-management fecal-management waste-disposal midden-formation territory-size home-range foraging-range recruitment-range exploration exploitation information-use public-information private-information cue-use signal-use communication-network interaction-network social-network colony-network population-network community-ecology species-interaction apparent-competition exploitative-competition interference-competition resource-partitioning niche-differentiation habitat-filtering environmental-gradient altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution continental-distribution island-distribution endemism biogeography phylogeography historical-biogeography vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugia glacial-cycles climate-change-impact habitat-fragmentation deforestation land-use-change agricultural-intensification urbanization pollution pesticide-exposure heavy-metal-accumulation conservation-status population-viability extinction-risk protected-area reserve-design habitat-corridor connectivity metapopulation source-sink-dynamics rescue-effect mass-effect ecological-theory behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology trait-based-ecology comparative-analysis phylogenetic-comparative-methods character-evolution ancestral-state-reconstruction convergent-evolution parallel-evolution adaptive-radiation species-diversification speciation hybridization introgression gene-flow genetic-differentiation population-structure molecular-ecology genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics volatile-organic-compound cuticular-hydrocarbon glandular-secretion sting-apparatus mandible-morphology head-morphology mesosomal-morphology petiolar-morphology gastral-morphology leg-morphology antennal-morphology sensilla chemoreception mechanoreception thermoreception photoreception vision compound-eye ocelli brain-morphology neuroanatomy learning-capacity memory-capacity cognitive-ability problem-solving tool-use sequence-learning route-learning spatial-memory temporal-memory social-learning cultural-transmission tradition colony-personality behavioral-syndrome boldness exploration-tendency activity-level aggression-level foraging-tendency defensive-tendency stress-response physiological-stress thermal-stress desiccation-stress starvation-stress immune-challenge wound-healing metabolic-rate respiration energy-expenditure water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubules rectum hindgut midgut foregut crop proventriculus digestive-enzyme nutrient-absorption lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism amino-acid-metabolism nitrogen-excretion uric-acid urea ammonia osmolyte cryoprotectant heat-shock-protein stress-protein antioxidant-defense oxidative-stress reactive-oxygen-species aging-biology senescence-theory disposable-soma antagonistic-pleiotropy mutation-accumulation life-history-theory r-K-selection bet-hedging iteroparity semelparity reproductive-effort parental-investment maternal-effect paternal-effect epigenetics DNA-methylation histone-modification non-coding-RNA gene-regulation transcription-factor signaling-pathway hormone juvenile-hormone ecdysone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing reproductive-signaling caste-determination sex-determination environmental-sex-determination genetic-sex-determination haplodiploidy arrhenotoky thelytoky parthenogenesis arrhenotokous-parthenogenesis automixis apomixis central-fusion terminal-fusion genomic-imprinting parental-conflict kin-selection inclusive-fitness Hamilton's-rule relatedness-asymmetry sex-ratio-theory local-mate-competition local-resource-competition local-resource-enhancement split-sex-ratio worker-sex-ratio queen-sex-ratio colony-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression heterosis hybrid-vigor genetic-load mutation-rate effective-number-of-codons codon-usage-bias GC-content genome-size karyotype-evolution chromosomal-rearrangement fusion inversion translocation polyploidy aneuploidy chromosomal-polymorphism rDNA-cluster heterochromatin euchromatin centromere telomere nucleolus-organizer-region satellite-DNA minisatellite microsatellite simple-sequence-repeat transposable-element retrotransposon DNA-transposon horizontal-gene-transfer endosymbiont Wolbachia Cardinium Rickettsia Spiroplasma bacterial-symbiont fungal-symbiont viral-symbiont parasite pathogen disease epidemiology transmission-dynamics virulence resistance tolerance recovery immunity vaccination prophylaxis medicinal-behavior self-medication thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation social-thermoregulation microclimate-selection nest-temperature brood-temperature fungal-garden-temperature metabolic-heat heat-dissipation evaporative-cooling behavioral-cooling fanning ventilation chamber-design gallery-design entrance-design air-flow humidity-regulation water-collection water-storage desiccation-resistance cuticular-waterproofing spiracle-control respiratory-water-loss excretory-water-loss water-recycling metabolic-water dietary-water environmental-water rainfall-dependence seasonal-activity dry-season wet-season monsoon drought flood fire disturbance succession primary-succession secondary-succession climax-community pioneer-species habitat-specialist habitat-generalist edge-species interior-species gap-species canopy-species understory-species ground-species subterranean-species arboreal-species liana-species epiphyte-species lithophyte-species rheophyte-species aquatic-margin-species terrestrial-species fossorial-species cursorial-species scansorial-species volant-species winged-reproductive dealate ergatoid brachypterous apterous polymorphism caste-polymorphism queen-polymorphism male-polymorphism size-polymorphism allometry isometry shape-variation morphological-integration modularity evolvability constraints developmental-stability fluctuating-asymmetry directional-asymmetry antisymmetry phenotypic-plasticity reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction grandparental-effect indirect-genetic-effect social-environment-effect colony-effect density-dependence frequency-dependence negative-frequency-dependence positive-frequency-dependence apostatic-selection anti-apostatic-selection search-image predator-learning prey-learning friend-recognition cuticular-hydrocarbon-profile gestalt-odor colony-specific-odor individual-specific-odor task-specific-odor age-specific-odor reproductive-odor queen-odor queen-pheromone primer-pheromone releaser-pheromone signal-pheromone modulatory-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone recruitment-pheromone aggregation-pheromone sex-pheromone marking-pheromone territorial-pheromone defensive-pheromone poison-gland Dufour-gland mandibular-gland postpharyngeal-gland metapleural-gland sternal-gland tarsal-gland anal-gland rectal-gland pygidial-gland mandibular-brush tibial-spur stridulatory-organ subgenual-organ Johnston's-organ tympanal-organ hair-sensillum campaniform-sensillum basiconic-sensillum coeloconic-sensillum placoid-sensillum sensilla-trichodea sensilla-basiconica sensilla-coeloconica sensilla-ampullacea sensilla-campaniformia sensilla-placodea olfactory-receptor-neuron gustatory-receptor-neuron mechanoreceptor-neuron thermoreceptor-neuron hygroreceptor-neuron photoreceptor-neuron visual-processing olfactory-processing gustatory-processing mechanosensory-processing central-complex mushroom-body antennal-lobe optic-lobe suboesophageal-ganglion ventral-nerve-cord sympathetic-nervous-system neurosecretion neurohemal-organ corpus-cardiacum corpus-allatum prothoracic-gland ventral-gland pericardial-gland neuroendocrine-regulation hormonal-regulation pheromonal-regulation neural-regulation behavioral-regulation social-regulation environmental-regulation developmental-regulation reproductive-regulation metabolic-regulation homeostatic-regulation allostatic-regulation stress-regulation immune-regulation circadian-rhythm circannual-rhythm photoperiodism thermoperiodism biological-clock zeitgeber entrainment free-running-period phase-response-curve masking-effect arousal-threshold sleep torpor diapause quiescence dormancy aestivation hibernation cold-hardiness heat-hardiness desiccation-hardiness anoxia-hardiness starvation-hardiness radiation-hardiness pressure-hardiness gravity-perception magnetic-field-perception electric-field-perception sound-perception vibration-perception substrate-borne-signal air-borne-signal seismic-signal chemical-signal visual-signal tactile-signal auditory-signal multimodal-signal composite-signal redundant-signal amplifying-signal attenuating-signal honest-signal deceptive-signal costly-signal cheap-signal conventional-signal index-signal handicap-signal amplifier social-selection sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice male-male-competition female-female-competition parent-offspring-conflict sibling-conflict worker-queen-conflict worker-worker-conflict sexual-conflict antagonistic-coevolution arms-race evolutionary-dynamics community-dynamics ecosystem-dynamics biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle trophic-transfer production-efficiency consumption-efficiency assimilation-efficiency ecological-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency 10%-rule food-chain food-web trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control wasps-control donor-control recipient-control interaction-strength interaction-web ecological-network network-topology network-metrics degree-distribution connectance nestedness compartmentalization robustness fragility resilience recovery-time return-time elasticity perturbation pulse-disturbance press-disturbance chronic-disturbance acute-disturbance catastrophic-disturbance natural-disturbance anthropogenic-disturbance habitat-destruction habitat-degradation habitat-modification habitat-loss habitat-isolation edge-effect matrix-effect permeability corridor-effect stepping-stone source-population sink-population metapopulation-dynamics extinction-debt colonization-credit relaxation-effect time-lag historical-legacy priority-effect founder-effect bottleneck-effect selection natural-selection artificial-selection directional-selection stabilizing-selection disruptive-selection balancing-selection frequency-dependent-selection density-dependent-selection r-selection K-selection c-selection s-selection a-selection bet-hedging-selection fluctuating-selection correlational-selection multivariate-selection indirect-selection correlated-response genetic-correlation phenotypic-correlation environmental-correlation correlation-matrix variance-covariance-matrix G-matrix P-matrix E-matrix M-matrix quantitative-genetics heritability narrow-sense-heritability broad-sense-heritability genetic-variance additive-genetic-variance dominance-variance epistatic-variance environmental-variance phenotypic-variance genotype-environment-interaction-variance maternal-variance paternal-variance common-environment-variance special-environment-variance measurement-error-variance response-to-selection realized-heritability predicted-response breeder's-equation selection-gradient selection-differential Lande-equation multivariate-breeder's-equation genetic-constraint evolutionary-constraint developmental-constraint functional-constraint phylogenetic-constraint historical-constraint trade-off allocation-trade-off acquisition-trade-off conversion-trade-off maintenance-trade-off reproduction-survival-trade-off growth-reproduction-trade-off immune-reproduction-trade-off stress-reproduction-trade-off foraging-predation-trade-off competition-colonization-trade-off tolerance-resistance-trade-off plasticity-canalization-trade-off generalist-specialist-trade-off speed-accuracy-trade-off exploration-exploitation-trade-off individual-colony-trade-off within-colony-trade-off between-colony-trade-off life-history-trade-off demographic-trade-off ecological-trade-off evolutionary-trade-off optimization maximization minimization satisficing marginal-value-theorem optimal-foraging-theory optimal-diet-theory central-place-foraging patch-use-theory giving-up-density giving-up-time predation-risk energetic-cost opportunity-cost handling-time search-time travel-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-choice diet-breadth niche-width niche-overlap niche-partitioning resource-selection habitat-selection settlement-choice nest-site-choice host-choice oviposition-choice foraging-choice path-choice route-choice central-place territory core-area edge-area boundary perimeter area volume shape configuration spatial-pattern temporal-pattern diel-pattern seasonal-pattern annual-pattern multiannual-pattern cyclical-pattern irregular-pattern random-pattern clumped-pattern uniform-pattern regular-pattern aggregated-pattern overdispersed-pattern underdispersed-pattern Poisson-distribution negative-binomial-distribution Taylor's-power-law spatial-autocorrelation temporal-autocorrelation cross-correlation spectral-analysis wavelet-analysis time-series-analysis population-time-series community-time-series ecosystem-time-series long-term-study long-term-monitoring long-term-experiment chronosequence space-for-time-substitution paleoecology paleontology fossil-record trace-fossil coprolite nest-fossil amber-inclusion subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene neogene paleogene cretaceous mesozoic cenozoic geological-time deep-time evolutionary-time ecological-time generational-time physiological-time perception-time reaction-time decision-time memory-time learning-time developmental-time life-span colony-lifespan queen-lifespan worker-lifespan male-lifespan larval-development-time pupal-development-time egg-development-time incubation-time doubling-time half-life relaxation-time resilience-time resistance-time lag-time lead-time forecast-time prediction-time planning-time management-time conservation-time restoration-time mitigation-time adaptation-time speciation-time diversification-time extinction-time persistence-time transience-time ephemerality permanence stability instability equilibrium non-equilibrium steady-state dynamic-state transient-state asymptotic-state attractor repeller limit-cycle chaos stochasticity determinism predictability unpredictability complexity emergence self-organization pattern-formation spatial-self-organization temporal-self-organization spatiotemporal-self-organization swarm-intelligence collective-decision-making consensus-decision quorum-response wisdom-of-crowds information-cascade cultural-evolution gene-culture-coevolution niche-construction extended-phenotype extended-organism superorganism colony-as-individual colony-as-unit-of-selection group-selection multilevel-selection reciprocal-altruism by-product-mutualism amensalism competition predation herbivory parasitism parasitoidism chemical-mimicry tactile-mimicry visual-mimicry acoustic-mimicry defensive-mimicry Vavilovian-mimicry Bakerian-mimicry Gilbertian-mimicry Poultonian-mimicry Browerian-mimicry auto-mimicry intra-specific-mimicry inter-specific-mimicry molecular-mimicry cellular-mimicry tissue-mimicry organ-mimicry behavioral-mimicry reproductive-mimicry social-mimicry nest-mimicry food-mimicry predator-mimicry prey-mimicry host-mimicry guest-mimicry cleptoparasite cuckoo-parasite inquiline guest myrmecophile termitophile aphidophile coccidophile scale-insect-associate mealybug-associate whitefly-associate planthopper-associate treehopper-associate leafhopper-associate cicada-associate butterfly-associate moth-associate beetle-associate fly-associate wasp-associate bee-associate ant-associate spider-associate mite-associate tick-associate nematode-associate flatworm-associate roundworm-associate annelid-associate mollusk-associate crustacean-associate millipede-associate centipede-associate insect-associate vertebrate-associate bird-associate mammal-associate reptile-associate amphibian-associate fish-associate plant-associate fungus-associate bacteria-associate virus-associate archaea-associate protist-associate algae-associate lichen-associate bryophyte-associate pteridophyte-associate gymnosperm-associate angiosperm-associate monocot-associate dicot-associate herb-associate shrub-associate tree-associate vine-associate epiphyte-associate lithophyte-associate rheophyte-associate hydrophyte-associate xerophyte-associate mesophyte-associate hygrophyte-associate sciophyte-associate heliophyte-associate pioneer-plant-associate climax-plant-associate disturbance-plant-associate successional-plant-associate ant-plant-protection-mutualism ant-plant-food-body-mutualism ant-plant-domatia-mutualism ant-plant-extrafloral-nectary-mutualism ant-plant-seed-dispersal-mutualism ant-plant-pollination-mutualism ant-plant-agriculture-mutualism ant-fungus-mutualism ant-bacteria-mutualism ant-virus-mutualism ant-nematode-mutualism ant-mite-mutualism ant-tick-mutualism ant-spider-mutualism ant-wasp-mutualism ant-fly-mutualism ant-beetle-mutualism ant-butterfly-mutualism ant-moth-mutualism ant-bird-mutualism ant-mammal-mutualism ant-reptile-mutualism ant-amphibian-mutualism ant-fish-mutualism ant-human-mutualism ant-domestic-animal-mutualism ant-pest-mutualism ant-crop-mutualism ant-forest-mutualism ant-savanna-mutualism ant-grassland-mutualism ant-desert-mutualism ant-wetland-mutualism ant-riverine-mutualism ant-riparian-mutualism ant-montane-mutualism ant-lowland-mutualism ant-coastal-mutualism ant-island-mutualism ant-continental-mutualism ant-tropical-mutualism ant-temperate-mutualism ant-subtropical-mutualism ant-boreal-mutualism ant-austral-mutualism ant-paleotropical-mutualism ant-neotropical-mutualism ant-afrotropical-mutualism ant-oriental-mutualism ant-palearctic-mutualism ant-nearctic-mutualism ant-holarctic-mutualism ant-pan-tropical-mutualism ant-cosmopolitan-mutualism ant-endemic-mutualism ant-widespread-mutualism ant-restricted-mutualism ant-rare-mutualism ant-common-mutualism ant-abundant-mutualism ant-scarce-mutualism ant-threatened-mutualism ant-invasive-mutualism ant-native-mutualism ant-exotic-mutualism ant-introduced-mutualism ant-naturalized-mutualism ant-feral-mutualism ant-urban-mutualism ant-rural-mutualism ant-agricultural-mutualism ant-natural-mutualism ant-anthropogenic-mutualism ant-pristine-mutualism ant-degraded-mutualism ant-restored-mutualism ant-conserved-mutualism ant-managed-mutualism ant-sustainable-mutualism ant-unsustainable-mutualism ant-resilient-mutualism ant-fragile-mutualism ant-robust-mutualism ant-vulnerable-mutualism ant-resistant-mutualism ant-susceptible-mutualism ant-tolerant-mutualism ant-intolerant-mutualism ant-flexible-mutualism ant-inflexible-mutualism ant-plastic-mutualism ant-canalized-mutualism ant-adaptive-mutualism ant-maladaptive-mutualism ant-optimal-mutualism ant-suboptimal-mutualism ant-efficient-mutualism ant-inefficient-mutualism ant-productive-mutualism ant-unproductive-mutualism ant-successful-mutualism ant-unsuccessful-mutualism ant-stable-mutualism ant-unstable-mutualism ant-persistent-mutualism ant-transient-mutualism ant-obligate-mutualism ant-facultative-mutualism ant-specific-mutualism ant-generalized-mutualism ant-exclusive-mutualism ant-non-exclusive-mutualism ant-symbiotic-mutualism ant-non-symbiotic-mutualism ant-trophic-mutualism ant-defensive-mutualism ant-dispersive-mutualism ant-pollination-mutualism ant-agriculture-mutualism ant-construction-mutualism ant-nutrient-mutualism ant-protection-mutualism ant-cleaning-mutualism ant-transport-mutualism ant-storage-mutualism ant-processing-mutualism ant-consumption-mutualism ant-production-mutualism ant-exchange-mutualism ant-reciprocity-mutualism ant-by-product-mutualism ant-investment-mutualism ant-harvest-mutualism ant-cultivation-mutualism ant-domestication-mutualism ant-selection-mutualism ant-breeding-mutualism ant-engineering-mutualism ant-modification-mutualism ant-creation-mutualism ant-destruction-mutualism ant-transformation-mutualism ant-conversion-mutualism ant-utilization-mutualism ant-exploitation-mutualism ant-cooperation-mutualism ant-competition-mutualism ant-conflict-mutualism ant-resolution-mutualism ant-negotiation-mutualism ant-communication-mutualism ant-signal-mutualism ant-cue-mutualism ant-information-mutualism ant-knowledge-mutualism ant-learning-mutualism ant-memory-mutualism ant-cognition-mutualism ant-intelligence-mutualism ant-decision-mutualism ant-choice-mutualism ant-preference-mutualism ant-motivation-mutualism ant-emotion-mutualism ant-stress-mutualism ant-welfare-mutualism ant-health-mutualism ant-disease-mutualism ant-immunity-mutualism ant-resistance-mutualism ant-tolerance-mutualism ant-recovery-mutualism ant-healing-mutualism ant-therapy-mutualism ant-medicine-mutualism ant-prevention-mutualism ant-security-mutualism ant-safety-mutualism ant-risk-mutualism ant-hazard-mutualism ant-threat-mutualism ant-danger-mutualism ant-damage-mutualism ant-injury-mutualism ant-death-mutualism ant-mortality-mutualism ant-survival-mutualism ant-longevity-mutualism ant-reproduction-mutualism ant-fertility-mutualism ant-fecundity-mutualism ant-sterility-mutualism ant-virginity-mutualism ant-mating-mutualism ant-copulation-mutualism ant-insemination-mutualism ant-fertilization-mutualism ant-egg-mutualism ant-laying-mutualism ant-incubation-mutualism ant-hatching-mutualism ant-emergence-mutualism ant-eclosion-mutualism ant-molting-mutualism ant-ecdysis-mutualism ant-metamorphosis-mutualism ant-development-mutualism ant-growth-mutualism ant-differentiation-mutualism ant-maturation-mutualism ant-aging-mutualism ant-senescence-mutualism ant-decomposition-mutualism ant-recycling-mutualism ant-energy-mutualism ant-carbon-mutualism ant-nitrogen-mutualism ant-phosphorus-mutualism ant-sulfur-mutualism ant-water-mutualism ant-oxygen-mutualism ant-hydrogen-mutualism ant-mineral-mutualism ant-vitamin-mutualism ant-hormone-mutualism ant-enzyme-mutualism ant-protein-mutualism ant-lipid-mutualism ant-carbohydrate-mutualism ant-nucleic-acid-mutualism ant-DNA-mutualism ant-RNA-mutualism ant-gene-mutualism ant-genome-mutualism ant-chromosome-mutualism ant-cell-mutualism ant-tissue-mutualism ant-organ-mutualism ant-system-mutualism ant-organism-mutualism ant-individual-mutualism ant-colony-mutualism ant-population-mutualism ant-species-mutualism ant-genus-mutualism ant-family-mutualism ant-order-mutualism ant-class-mutualism ant-phylum-mutualism ant-kingdom-mutualism ant-domain-mutualism ant-life-mutualism ant-earth-mutualism ant-universe-mutualism
Dahlica
bagworm moth
Dahlica is a genus of bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, subfamily Naryciinae. The genus was established by Enderlein in 1912 and includes several described species, most notably Dahlica triquetrella, a small and inconspicuous species often mistaken for debris. Species in this genus construct protective cases from silk and environmental materials, with Dahlica triquetrella building cases that resemble small bits of dirt or wood rather than the prominent plant-covered cases of larger bagworm species. The subgenus Postsolenobia within Dahlica has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision using DNA barcoding, revealing unexpected patterns of genetic diversity among its five validly described taxa.
Psychidae bagworm-moth case-building-moth Dahlica-triquetrella Postsolenobia DNA-barcoding wingless-female detritivore urban-moth
Daihinibaenetes arizonensis
Arizona giant sand treader cricket
Daihinibaenetes arizonensis is a wingless orthopteran in the family Rhaphidophoridae, endemic to sand dune habitats near Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. It is among the largest members of its genus, with collected specimens exceeding 2 cm in length. The species exhibits nocturnal activity and specialized fossorial behavior, digging burrows up to 18 inches deep in sand. It is active primarily in spring and is presumed to perish during summer heat.
endemic sand-dune-specialist fossorial nocturnal spring-active wingless Rhaphidophoridae Orthoptera Arizona Petrified-Forest-National-Park detritivore
Dellacasiellus pseudofucosus
Dellacasiellus pseudofucosus is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with records from California and Baja California. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it likely functions as a detritivore associated with mammal dung. The specific epithet 'pseudofucosus' indicates morphological similarity to D. fucosus.
Aphodiinae dung-beetle Nearctic Neotropical California Baja-California 2007-description detritivore Scarabaeidae
Delphinia picta
Common Picture-winged Fly, Picture-winged Fly
Delphinia picta is a picture-winged fly and the sole member of its monospecific genus. It is frequently mistaken for fruit flies due to its similar size and appearance, but unlike true fruit flies, it does not attack living plant tissue. The species is notable for its distinctively patterned wings and detritivorous feeding habits.
detritivore picture-winged-fly decomposer multivoltine
Diplopoda
millipedes
Millipedes (Diplopoda) are a class of myriapod arthropods characterized by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments, a result of segmental fusion during their evolutionary history over 400 million years ago. They are primarily detritivores that play critical roles in ecosystem nutrient cycling through decomposition of organic matter. The class contains approximately 12,000 described species across 16 extant orders, with body forms ranging from elongated cylindrical forms to short, pill-like species capable of conglobation (rolling into a defensive ball).
Myriapoda detritivore decomposer soil-fauna ancient-lineage Cretaceous-amber-fossils conservation-indicator conglobation chemical-defense segmental-fusion
Eleodes
pinacate beetles, desert stink beetles
Eleodes is the largest genus of darkling beetles in North America, comprising approximately 200 species. These beetles are endemic to western North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, with some species introduced to Colombia. Commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles, they are flightless due to fused elytra and vestigial hindwings. All species possess chemical defense glands that produce quinone compounds, and many exhibit distinctive head-standing behavior when threatened. The genus shows remarkable ecological diversity, with species occupying deserts, forests, grasslands, and caves.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae chemical-defense flightless desert-arthropod detritivore agricultural-pest Müllerian-mimicry cave-beetle western-North-America
Eleodes caudifera
desert stink beetle
Eleodes caudifera is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle. The species is native to arid regions of western North America and exhibits the defensive head-standing behavior typical of the genus Eleodes. It has been documented in sandy desert habitats, particularly in association with dune systems. The species was described by LeConte in 1858.
Tenebrionidae darkling-beetle desert-beetle chemical-defense sand-dune-fauna Eleodes detritivore North-American-desert-fauna
Eleodes dentipes
Dentate Stink Beetle
Eleodes dentipes is a medium-sized darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the dentate stink beetle. It measures 16–28 mm in length and is frequently encountered in decaying wood and leaf litter habitats. The species is widely distributed and readily identifiable within the genus Eleodes by its size and habitat preferences.
darkling-beetle decomposer woodland detritivore defensive-secretion
Eleodes eschscholtzii
desert stink beetle
Eleodes eschscholtzii is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to arid regions of western North America. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles, characterized by defensive chemical secretion and a distinctive head-stand posture when threatened. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. eschscholtzii and E. e. lucae.
desert darkling-beetle defensive-behavior chemical-defense burrowing detritivore
Eleodes fuchsii
Eleodes fuchsii is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1909. As a member of the genus Eleodes, it belongs to a group commonly known as "clown beetles" or "stink beetles," recognized for their defensive posture of raising the abdomen when disturbed. The species is part of a large North American genus with over 200 described species, many of which inhabit arid and semi-arid regions.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae Eleodes desert-beetle defensive-behavior North-America detritivore data-deficient
Eleodes hirsuta
Hairy Stink Beetle, Hairy Eleodes
Eleodes hirsuta is a large darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, recognized by its conspicuously hairy body and defensive chemical-secreting behavior. The species belongs to the 'clown beetle' group, known for their characteristic head-stand posture when threatened. Adults are primarily nocturnal and active during warmer months in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats.
darkling-beetle clown-beetle defensive-behavior head-stand Great-Plains nocturnal burrowing hairy chemical-defense Tenebrionidae Eleodes western-North-America grassland prairie detritivore pet-insect
Eleodes obscura
Obscure Darkling Beetle
Eleodes obscura is a large darkling beetle species in the genus Eleodes, native to western North America. Adults measure 23–31 mm in length and are characterized by dull black coloration with grooved elytra. The species occupies a broad geographic range extending from south-central British Columbia to northern Mexico and eastward to the Great Plains. It is primarily nocturnal and has been observed climbing tree trunks at night.
nocturnal arboreal-climbing detritivore montane conifer-associated
Elipsocus abdominalis
Elipsocus abdominalis is a species of barklouse in the family Elipsocidae. It occurs across much of Europe, with records from Great Britain and Ireland through Scandinavia, central Europe, and the Mediterranean. The species has also been recorded in North America, though these may represent introduced populations. Adults are blackish-orange in coloration and have been observed feeding on a range of deciduous and coniferous trees.
barklouse psocid European arboreal detritivore
Elipsocus hyalinus
Elipsocus hyalinus is a species of barklouse in the family Elipsocidae, characterized by yellowish-black coloration. It is widely distributed across Europe, with additional records from North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The species feeds on diverse plant material including fruits, berries, and foliage of numerous tree and shrub species.
Psocodea barklouse Elipsocidae Europe phytophagous detritivore forest-insect
Embidopsocus needhami
Embidopsocus needhami is a small, wingless barklouse in the family Liposcelididae, widely distributed across North America. It belongs to a group of psocids commonly known as booklice or barklice, characterized by reduced or absent wings and flattened bodies adapted for living in tight spaces. The species has been recorded from the United States and Canada.
apterous detritivore stored-product-pest North-America synanthropic
Epierus regularis
clown beetle
Epierus regularis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Palisot de Beauvois in 1818. It is native to North America, with records from eastern Canada and across the eastern and central United States. As a member of the Histeridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles, which are typically associated with decaying organic matter and are often found in carrion, dung, and under bark.
histeridae clown-beetle coleoptera north-america detritivore saproxylic
Erechthias
fungus moths
Erechthias is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, comprising the type genus of subfamily Erechthiinae. The genus encompasses more than 150 species with disputed circumscription, including several previously recognized genera now treated as synonyms. Species occur across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some showing pan-global distributions while others are highly endemic.
detritivore fungus-moth Tineidae Erechthiinae Indo-Pacific island-endemic seabird-nest-associate taxonomically-disputed
Euchromius
A genus of grass-veneer moths in the family Crambidae, established by Guenée in 1845. Species are distributed across all continents except South-East Asian islands, with highest diversity in the Palaearctic region, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. Several species are migratory and can establish temporary populations outside their core ranges. Larvae are primarily detritivores, feeding on dead plant material near the base of grasses and other plants.
Crambidae grass-veneer-moths detritivore migratory Palaearctic xerothermous-habitats
Eulichadidae
Forest Stream Beetles
Eulichadidae is a small family of beetles within Elateriformia, comprising two extant genera with contrasting distributions: Eulichas (Indomalayan realm, Asia) and Stenocolus (Western North America). Adults are terrestrial, while larvae are obligately aquatic in forest streams. The family exhibits notable ecological divergence between genera in habitat use and adult behavior.
aquatic-larvae disjunct-distribution Indomalayan Nearctic forest-streams detritivore light-attraction riparian
Euryuridae
Euryuridae is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida. The family includes at least four genera and approximately 14 described species. Members are endemic to the Nearctic region. One well-studied species, Euryurus leachii, has been used to investigate thermal tolerance in detritivorous arthropods.
millipede flat-backed-millipede detritivore Nearctic dead-wood thermal-tolerance
Euryurus
flat-backed millipede
Euryurus is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Euryuridae, containing approximately 14 described species. These millipedes are endemic to the Nearctic region and are commonly found in forested habitats. The genus has been subject to ecological research, particularly regarding thermal tolerance in Euryurus leachii, which has a critical thermal maximum of approximately 40.5°C.
millipede detritivore forest thermal-ecology Nearctic dead-wood climate-change-indicator
Euryurus erythropygos
Euryurus erythropygos is a North American millipede species in the family Xystodesmidae, first described by Brandt in 1839. It belongs to a genus characterized by broad, flattened bodies and distinctive coloration patterns. The species name 'erythropygos' refers to its red or reddish posterior (pygidium). Like other xystodesmid millipedes, it likely produces defensive secretions containing benzoquinones when disturbed.
millipede diplopod detritivore forest aposematic North-America xystodesmid
Euryurus evides
Euryurus evides is a North American millipede species in the family Xystodesmidae, order Polydesmida. It belongs to a genus of flat-backed millipedes characterized by their broad, flattened bodies and distinctive color patterns. The species was described by Bollman in 1887 and is part of the tribe Euryurini within the subfamily Rhysodesminae. It is among the more frequently observed millipedes in its range, with substantial occurrence records on community science platforms.
millipede flat-backed-millipede xystodesmid detritivore forest-floor eastern-North-America
Euryurus leachii
Leach's millipede, Log Lurker
Euryurus leachii is a flat-backed millipede in the family Euryuridae, commonly known as Leach's millipede or the Log Lurker. It is endemic to North America and is frequently encountered in forested habitats, particularly in association with decaying wood. The species has been studied for its thermal physiology, showing a critical thermal maximum of approximately 40.5°C with seasonal plasticity in heat tolerance.
millipede detritivore forest decaying-wood thermal-physiology seasonal-plasticity Nearctic
Exaireta spinigera
garden soldier fly, blue soldier fly
Exaireta spinigera is a soldier fly native to Australia that has been introduced to New Zealand, Hawaii, North America, and Europe. The species is recognized by its black body with violet undertones, four yellow-tipped spines on the scutellum, and metallic abdominal sheen. Adults are diurnal and active primarily in autumn and spring, with larvae inhabiting decaying organic matter including residential compost. The species has attracted research interest as a potential bioconverter of food waste due to its ability to process organic material at cooler temperatures than the more commonly studied black soldier fly Hermetia illucens.
compost-associated introduced-species waste-bioconversion detritivore diurnal
Flexamia huroni
Huron River Leafhopper
Flexamia huroni is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Bess & Hamilton in 1999. It belongs to the genus Flexamia, a group of leafhoppers known for their specialized host plant associations with grasses. The species is named after the Huron River in Michigan, where it was first collected. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits strong ecological dependence on specific grass host plants.
leafhopper cicadellidae deltocephalinae paralimnini flexamia grass-specialist michigan-endemic auchenorrhyncha hemiptera insecta arthropoda animalia true-bug planthopper-relative 1999-description bess hamilton huroni huron-river usa north-america grassland-insect host-specific poorly-known rare uncommon data-deficient gbif catalogue-of-life ncbi inaturalist taxon species accepted hexapoda cicadomorpha clypeata membracoidea paralimnina flexamia-huroni bess-&-hamilton 1999 exact-match accepted-name canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status matched taxonomy classification eukaryota metazoa distribution michigan observations 0 wikipedia none preferred-common-name huron-river-leafhopper true-bugs group kingdom phylum class order family genus authority ipt integrated-publishing-toolkit biodiversity-data-journal zookeys nature-conservation comparative-cytogenetics open-access open-access journal publication dataset specimen type nomenclatural-type herbarium university-of-granada spain fungi lichens agaricales cortinarius antonio-ortega mediterranean france italy image-collection colección-de-imágenes-de-los-tipos-nomenclaturales-de-hongos líquenes musgos-y-algas gda gdac vizoso quesada 2015 doi 10.3897 bdj 3 e5204 new-species new-jersey-pine-barrens muhlenbergia-torreyana pinebarren-smokegrass threatened-species andrew-hicks museum-of-natural-history university-of-colorado gerry-moore natural-resources-conservation-service greensboro nc uli-lorimer brooklyn-botanic-garden f.-whitcombi robert-whitcomb microbiology ornithology ecology host-plant warming-climate human-activities zookeys-511 69-79 zookeys.511.9572 roundworm nematode antarctic amblydorylaimus-isokaryoni pararhyssocolpus-paradoxus bulgaria scanning-electron-microscopy sem maritime-antarctic antarctic-islands lip-region spear vulva postembryonic-development molecular-analyses dorylaimida elshishka lazarova radoslavov hristov peneva 25-68 zookeys.511.9793 anidiv2 bulgarian-academy-of-sciences national-scientific-fund octocoral okinawa japan nanipora-kamurai living-fossil blue-coral heliopora aragonite-calcium-carbonate skeleton scleractinians soft-coral heliporacea lithotelestidae epiphaxum deep-sea shallow-coral-reef zamami-island national-park miyazaki reimer 1-23 zookeys.511.9432 non-biting-midge chironomus ch.-bernensis north-caucasus russia caucasian-populations europe siberia karyotype morphology mouthparts larvae chromosome genotypic-combinations mineralization eutrophication karmokov polukonova sinichkina tembotov-institute-of-ecology-of-mountain-territories saratov-state-medical-university comparative-cytogenetics-9 281-297 compcytogen.v9i3.4519 sea-turtle rescue-centre first-aid-station loggerhead green-turtle caretta-caretta chelonia-mydas bycatch mortality greece migration sexual-maturity ullmann stachowitsch uit-the-arctic-university-of-norway nature-conservation-10 45-69 natureconservation.10.4890 regional-activity-centre-for-specially-protected-areas porcupine coendou-ichillus lower-urubamba peru canopy-bridge pipeline natural-gas arboreal camera-trap dwarf-porcupine iquitos 770g gregory lunde zamora-meza carrasco-rueda repsol-exploración-perú zookeys-509 109-121 zookeys.509.9821 ant prionopelta madagascar seychelles subterranean leaf-litter dracula-ant hemolymph larval-hemolymph-feeding oophagy madagascar-biodiversity-center overson fisher zookeys-507 115-150 zookeys.507.9303 ito billen masuko spider anelosimus subsocial cobweb-spider theridiidae deforestation biodiversity-hotspot agnarsson university-of-vermont smithsonian-national-museum-of-natural-history wallace huxley buffon hooker lamarck darwin moramora eriophyoid-mite acari xinjiang china rosaceae paracolomerus gall ji-wei-li wang xue zhang zookeys-508 97-111 zookeys.508.8940 shihezi-university grasshopper wyoming melanoplus melanoplinae acrididae tetrigidae gomphocerniae oedipodinae cyrtacanthacridinae distribution-atlas field-guide wgis wyoming-grasshopper-information-system key capinera sechrist hebard helfer scudder blatchley thomas say harris degeer bruner saussure girard dodge walker fieber fabricius serville mcneill tinkham burmeister haldeman big-horn-mountains black-hills gladston indigens infantilis dodgei oregonensis marshalli yellowstone-national-park sagebrush pine elevation shortgrass-prairie mixedgrass-prairie forb grass economic-damage rangeland benefit overwinter egg hatch adult late-summer august october june life-cycle food-habit size collection survey underreported common endemic restricted-range forest-opening grassy moderate-elevation larger smaller east west united-states america north south central range extent limited restricted abundant population density occurrence presence absence habitat environment condition altitude topography terrain vegetation plant shrub tree forest opening meadow prairie steppe savanna woodland draw slope aspect soil substrate moisture temperature climate weather season phenology timing activity nymph emerge molt develop grow reproduce mate oviposit die generation voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine semivoltine diapause aestivation hibernation dispersal movement behavior habit action feeding diet food host association relationship interaction specialist generalist monophagy oligophagy polyphagy herbivore detritivore predator parasitoid scavenger economic-importance pest beneficial neutral damage control management conservation threatened endangered vulnerable secure unknown global-biodiversity-information-facility es biodiversity-image-portal spanish-collections type-specimen lichen antarctica bernensis li yellowstone
Floridoscia
Floridoscia is a genus of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) in the family Philosciidae, described in 1984 by Schultz and Johnson. As members of the suborder Oniscidea, these crustaceans are fully adapted to land. The genus is endemic to Florida and contains species restricted to this region.
isopod woodlouse terrestrial-crustacean Florida-endemic Philosciidae detritivore
Gammarus mucronatus
scud
Gammarus mucronatus is a small amphipod crustacean first described in 1818. It is a dominant species in salt marsh and estuarine habitats along the North American Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. The species is multivoltine, producing multiple broods per season with overlapping cohorts. It serves as an important food source for fish and other predators while contributing significantly to energy flow and nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems.
amphipod scud estuarine salt-marsh benthic multivoltine detritivore North-Atlantic Gulf-of-Mexico
Geotrupidae
Earth-boring beetles, Earth-boring dung beetles, Dor beetles
Geotrupidae is a family of beetles in the order Coleoptera, commonly called earth-boring dung beetles or dor beetles. Adults excavate burrows in soil to lay eggs, typically provisioning nests with leaf litter (often moldy) rather than dung, though some species are coprophagous. The family contains over 600 species in about 30 genera across two subfamilies: Geotrupinae and Taurocerastinae. Formerly classified as a subfamily of Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae was elevated to family status based on phylogenetic evidence. Some species communicate via stridulation, and burrows can exceed 2 meters in depth.
Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea detritivore fossorial decomposition soil-ecology mite-host stridulation
Glomeridae
pill millipedes
Glomeridae is a family of pill millipedes in the order Glomerida, comprising over 300 species distributed among approximately 30 genera. Members are characterized by their ability to conglobate (roll into a complete sphere) as a defensive mechanism. The family has a primarily Palearctic distribution with significant diversity in Southeast Asia, and includes both surface-dwelling and cavernicolous species. Many species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical regions.
millipede pill-millipede conglobation diplopoda detritivore cave-dwelling karst palearctic southeast-asia appalachians
Glomeroides primus
California Pill Millipede
Glomeroides primus is a pill millipede species in the family Protoglomeridae, native to western North America. It is one of the few pill millipede species found in the Nearctic region, where it occupies a restricted range centered on California. The species was originally described by Silvestri in 1929 under the basionym Apiomeris prima. Like other members of Glomerida, it has the ability to conglobate (roll into a complete ball) as a defensive adaptation. The genus Glomeroides represents an ancient lineage within the Oniscomorpha, the clade containing all pill millipedes.
millipede diplopoda glomerida pill-millipede conglobation california-endemic detritivore nearctic
Glyphopsyche
Glyphopsyche is a genus of northern caddisflies (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) established by Banks in 1904. The genus contains at least three described species: G. irrorata, G. missouri, and G. sequatchie. Glyphopsyche irrorata has been documented with an unusual life history strategy among caddisflies: overwintering as an adult rather than in the larval stage.
caddisfly Limnephilidae Trichoptera overwintering-adult temporary-ponds detritivore shredder
Glyphopsyche irrorata
Irrorate Northern Caddisfly
Glyphopsyche irrorata is a northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae with an unusual life history strategy. Unlike most caddisflies, it overwinters as an adult rather than in an aquatic larval or pupal stage. This adaptation allows it to inhabit ponds with fluctuating water levels and those experiencing winter drought. The species is known from the Nearctic region, particularly in the northeastern United States.
caddisfly Trichoptera Limnephilidae overwintering-adult detritivore pond-habitat Nearctic unusual-life-history
Gnorimosphaeroma
Gnorimosphaeroma is a genus of marine and estuarine isopod crustaceans in the family Sphaeromatidae. Species in this genus inhabit intertidal and shallow subtidal environments, with documented occurrences in algal beds, sedge marshes, and wood debris habitats. The genus shows behavioral adaptations for humidity detection and orientation, and includes species with annual semelparous life histories.
isopod estuarine intertidal detritivore sphaeromatidae
Gnorimosphaeroma noblei
Gnorimosphaeroma noblei is a marine isopod in the family Sphaeromatidae, described by Menzies in 1954. It is a small crustacean capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball), a defensive behavior common in pill isopods. The species occurs in the temperate North Pacific region. Like other sphaeromatids, it inhabits marine intertidal and shallow subtidal zones.
marine isopod intertidal detritivore conglobation temperate-Pacific crustacean pill-bug 1954-description Menzies
Hadenoecus
Eastern Cave Crickets, cave crickets
Hadenoecus is a genus of cave crickets endemic to the southeastern United States, comprising five recognized species. These crickets are obligate cave-dwelling insects characterized by elongated antennae and enlarged hind legs adapted for movement in darkness. The genus is ecologically significant as a key component of cave ecosystems, serving as both detritivores and prey for other cave fauna. Hadenoecus subterraneus, the common cave cricket, is particularly well-studied due to its abundance in the Mammoth Cave system of Kentucky.
cave-obligate detritivore subterranean southeastern-US-endemic karst-dependent
Hadenoecus subterraneus
Mammoth Cave cricket, common cave cricket
Hadenoecus subterraneus is a troglophilic camel cricket species in the family Rhaphidophoridae, endemic to cave systems of North America. It exhibits metabolic and water economy adaptations to subterranean environments, with physiological traits scaled to body size and temperature. The species serves as an important nutrient vector in cave ecosystems through its guano, eggs, and carcasses, which support diverse communities of cave-dwelling organisms. While primarily cavernicolous, it can survive in surface environments.
cave-cricket camel-cricket troglophile subterranean detritivore nutrient-vector Mammoth-Cave Kentucky Rhaphidophoridae
Haplophthalmus danicus
Spurred Ridgeback, terrestrial cave isopod
Haplophthalmus danicus is a small woodlouse species in the family Trichoniscidae, commonly known as the spurred ridgeback or terrestrial cave isopod. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it has been introduced to North America, where it has become well established in terrestrial communities since European settlement. The species comprises seven recognized subspecies across its native range. It is frequently observed in cave and subterranean habitats, reflecting its common name.
cave-dwelling introduced-species detritivore subterranean
Harpaphe haydeniana
yellow-spotted millipede, almond-scented millipede, cyanide millipede
Harpaphe haydeniana is a flat-backed millipede native to the Pacific coast of North America, recognized by its black body with yellow-tipped lateral keels. The species is notable for its chemical defense system, secreting hydrogen cyanide when threatened, which produces a characteristic almond odor. It plays a significant role in forest decomposition, particularly in redwood ecosystems. Despite its common names suggesting uniqueness, both the color pattern and cyanide defense occur in other flat-backed millipedes globally.
detritivore aposematic-coloration chemical-defense forest-decomposer Pacific-Northwest redwood-forest hydrogen-cyanide gonopods sexual-dimorphism specialized-predator
Helicopsyche borealis
Spectacled Snail-case Caddisfly
Helicopsyche borealis is a caddisfly species in the family Helicopsychidae, notable as one of only two Helicopsyche species to colonize temperate North America from a predominantly tropical genus. Larvae construct distinctive spiral, snail-like cases from sand grains cemented with silk. The species inhabits running waters across North America and plays a role as a collector-gatherer and scraper in stream ecosystems. Adults emerge in spring, and the life cycle is univoltine with egg diapause through summer.
Trichoptera caddisfly Helicopsychidae freshwater stream case-building univoltine Nearctic detritivore grazer hyporheic periphyton spiral-case sand-case temperate-colonist
Hemiphileurus illatus
Lesser Triceratops Beetle
Hemiphileurus illatus is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae, known as the lesser triceratops beetle. Adults are black, 19–25 mm long, with a pitted exoskeleton and two cephalic horns—smaller in females. Unlike its congener Phileurus truncatus, it lacks a third horn. The species is native to the southwestern United States and is attracted to UV light.
Dynastinae rhinoceros-beetle detritivore fossorial southwestern-US-endemic stridulation UV-light-attraction
Herminiinae
Litter Moths
Herminiinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Erebidae, order Lepidoptera. Members are commonly called litter moths due to the feeding habits of their caterpillars. The subfamily was previously treated as a separate family (Herminiidae) or as a subfamily of Noctuidae, but phylogenetic analysis places it within Erebidae, most closely related to Aganainae.
litter-moths decomposer Erebidae Noctuoidea detritivore
Heterotermes aureus
Desert Subterranean Termite
Heterotermes aureus is a subterranean termite native to the deserts of North America. Colonies are large, with estimates ranging from 45,000 to over 2 million individuals. The species is notable for its ability to forage in drier conditions than other desert subterranean termites and for its distinctive soldier mandible morphology.
termite subterranean desert pest social-insect detritivore North-America
Hexagenia
giant mayflies, burrowing mayflies, fishflies
Hexagenia is a genus of large burrowing mayflies in the family Ephemeridae, comprising eight recognized species. Nymphs construct distinctive U-shaped, ventilated burrows in soft aquatic sediments of lakes, streams, and ponds. Adults are notable for their synchronous mass emergences, which can produce swarms dense enough to appear on weather radar. The genus serves as an important bioindicator of water quality due to its intolerance of pollution and anoxia.
mayfly burrower bioindicator detritivore aquatic-insect fisheries water-quality synchronous-emergence
Hexagenia bilineata
Emergent Mayfly
Hexagenia bilineata is a burrowing mayfly native to the Upper Mississippi Valley of North America. The aquatic nymphs construct U-shaped burrows in mud and silt, filtering organic detritus for food. Adults emerge synchronously in enormous numbers during summer evenings, creating spectacular swarms that have caused documented traffic hazards and infrastructure damage. The species exhibits mixed voltinism, with some populations completing development in one year while others require two years.
mayfly burrower-mayfly mass-emergence nuisance-insect aquatic-insect detritivore Upper-Mississippi-Valley Ephemeridae