Leaf-litter
Guides
Symphytognathidae
dwarf orbweavers, micro orb-weavers
Symphytognathidae is a family of extremely small spiders (body size typically 1 mm or less, with Patu digua at 0.37 mm among the smallest known spiders). The family contains approximately 105 species in ten genera, including Crassignatha, Patu, Anapistula, and Micropholcomma. Members construct minute orb webs, often suspended between dead leaves in leaf litter or between vegetation. The family was historically placed in various superfamilies but molecular phylogenetics supports placement within Araneoidea, with affinities to Theridiosomatidae and Anapidae.
Syscia
Syscia is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dorylinae, containing 38 described species. The genus was established by Roger in 1861, later treated as a subgenus of Cerapachys, and resurrected as valid by Borowiec (2016). It has a discontinuous distribution across Eastern Asia, North America, and South America, and is part of the cryptic leaf-litter ant fauna.
Tanarthrus
Tanarthrus is a genus of antlike flower beetles in the family Anthicidae, established by LeConte in 1851. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species. Members of this genus exhibit the characteristic ant-mimicking morphology typical of Anthicidae, with an elongated, narrow body form and constricted waist. These beetles are generally small and inhabit diverse terrestrial environments. Specific ecological details for the genus remain poorly documented in published literature.
Thesiastes
Thesiastes is a genus of ant-loving beetles (myrmecophiles) in the rove beetle family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and contains at least four described species distributed in North America. These beetles are members of the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small, often cryptic beetles associated with leaf litter and ant colonies.
Thespidae
Thespidae is a family of mantises in the order Mantodea, primarily distributed in the Neotropical region with some Nearctic representatives. The family underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2019, when the subfamilies Haaniinae and Hoplocoryphinae were elevated to family level. Members of Thespidae exhibit diverse ecological adaptations, including cryptic grass-mimicry in some genera and leaf-litter dwelling in others.
Tomoceridae
Tomoceridae is a family of springtails (Collembola) within the order Entomobryomorpha. Members are characterized by their elongated bodies and relatively long antennae compared to other springtail families. The family includes both surface-dwelling and cave-adapted species, with some showing pronounced troglomorphic traits such as eyelessness and depigmentation. Tomoceridae has a broad geographic distribution including Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Trichonyx sulcicollis
Trichonyx sulcicollis is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae) originally described from Europe in 1816. It belongs to the tribe Trichonychini within the diverse ant-loving beetle group (Pselaphinae). The species has been recorded across much of Europe and has been introduced to the northeastern United States (New Hampshire, New York). As a pselaphine rove beetle, it is likely associated with leaf litter and soil habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Trigoniulidae
round-backed millipedes
Trigoniulidae is a family of round-backed millipedes in the order Spirobolida, comprising approximately 171 species across 25 genera. The family was established by Attems in 1909. Members are found in tropical and subtropical regions where they inhabit leaf litter and soil environments. Population studies of at least one species, Trigoniulus lumbricinus, indicate seasonal fluctuations correlated with rainfall patterns.
Tyrini
Tyrini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Pselaphinae, established by Reitter in 1882. The tribe comprises four subtribes: Centrophthalmina, Janusculina, Somatipionina, and Tyrina. Members of this tribe are small, compact beetles adapted to cryptic habitats such as leaf litter and soil.
Upoluna
Upoluna is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, family Staphylinidae. Members of this genus are placed in the tribe Tyrini and subtribe Somatipionina. The genus was established by Schaufuss in 1886. Like other pselaphines, species in this genus are small, compact beetles associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Usofila pacifica
Usofila pacifica is a small true spider in the family Telemidae, described by Banks in 1894. It is found along the west coast of North America, from the United States into Canada. The species inhabits moist forest floor environments, where it constructs minute, delicate webs.
Valda
Valda is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. These beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and belongs to the tribe Valdini, which is named after it. Members are small, typically cryptic beetles found in leaf litter and soil habitats.
Zanclognatha
litter moths
Zanclognatha is a genus of litter moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. The genus was erected by Julius Lederer in 1857 and has experienced taxonomic instability, having been synonymized with Polypogon multiple times before current treatments generally recognize it as distinct. Species-level taxonomy remains problematic, with adult moths often difficult to distinguish using traditional characters. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.