Soil-arthropod
Guides
Akephorus obesus
Obese Point-bearing Beetle
Akephorus obesus is a small ground beetle in the tribe Dyschiriini, characterized by a notably robust body form that inspired its specific epithet. The species occurs across northern North America, with scattered records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the Carabidae family, it likely inhabits soil and leaf litter environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1863 under the genus Dyschirius before transfer to Akephorus.
Ammopelmatus
Jerusalem crickets, potato bugs, North American Jerusalem Crickets
Ammopelmatus is a genus of large, flightless crickets in the family Stenopelmatidae, commonly known as Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs. The genus was erected by Tinkham in 1965 and underwent massive taxonomic revision in 2025, expanding from 12 recognized species to 117 valid species across the western United States and northwestern Mexico. These insects are among the largest in western North America, with some adults exceeding 12 grams. The genus exhibits exceptional species diversity concentrated in Southern and Central California, with most species having limited geographic distributions.
Ataenius alternatus
Ataenius alternatus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1845. The species occurs across the southeastern United States and into Mexico. Like other members of the genus Ataenius, it is associated with decomposing organic matter and soil habitats. It is one of numerous Ataenius species found in North American turfgrass and agricultural systems.
Bolothrips bicolor
Bolothrips bicolor is a species of thrips in the family Phlaeothripidae, subfamily Idolothripinae. The species was first described by Heeger in 1852 under the name Phlaeothrips bicolor. It is a fungus-feeding thrips with a broad distribution spanning Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. The genus Bolothrips contains approximately 90 species worldwide, primarily associated with fungal spores in leaf litter and soil habitats.
Bourletiella
Bourletiella is a genus of springtails in the family Bourletiellidae, suborder Symphypleona. These globular springtails are characterized by their rounded body shape and are among the most frequently observed springtail genera, with over 3,000 iNaturalist records. The genus was established by Banks in 1899 and contains multiple described species distributed across diverse habitats including polar, temperate, and arid regions.
Bourletiella juanitae
Bourletiella juanitae is a species of globular springtail described by E.A. Maynard in 1951. It belongs to the family Bourletiellidae, a group of springtails characterized by their rounded, compact body form. The species has been documented in western and southern North America. As with other symphypleonan springtails, it possesses a furcula (springing organ) that enables leaping locomotion.
Dicyrtoma aurata
globular springtail
Dicyrtoma aurata is a species of globular springtail in the family Dicyrtomidae, first described by H.B. Mills in 1934. Like other members of its family, it possesses the characteristic rounded body form typical of Symphypleona. The species has been documented in North America, with distribution records from the United States including Vermont and southern regions. As a springtail, it contributes to soil decomposition processes through its feeding activities.
Entomobrya bicolor
slender springtail
Entomobrya bicolor is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Joseph Guthrie in 1903 from Minnesota. Adults display a distinctive color pattern with a dark brown or blue-brown body and a yellow band across the abdomen, contrasting with the almost entirely yellow juveniles. The species belongs to the E. bicolor species complex, which includes E. quadrilineata and E. decemfasciata, characterized by elongated bodies, long appendages, and asymmetrically arranged bristles.
Euplectus duryi
ant-loving beetle
Euplectus duryi is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the subfamily Pselaphinae—a group commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1908. It occurs across much of North America, with records spanning from Canada (British Columbia to Quebec and the Maritimes) throughout the United States from the Atlantic seaboard west to Arizona and Colorado. Like other pselaphines, it is typically found in leaf litter and soil habitats where it associates with ant colonies.
Evalljapyx hubbardi
forcepstail
Evalljapyx hubbardi is a species of forcepstail, a group of small, soil-dwelling arthropods in the class Diplura. Forcepstails are characterized by their distinctive pincer-like cerci at the posterior end of the abdomen. The species belongs to the family Evalljapygidae, which was historically placed within Japygidae. It has been documented in North America.
Gonibius
Gonibius is a genus of stone centipedes (order Lithobiomorpha) in the family Lithobiidae, established by Chamberlin in 1925. These centipedes are terrestrial predators with elongated, multi-segmented bodies characteristic of lithobiomorphs. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published biological or ecological information available. Records indicate very few observations, suggesting either genuine rarity or undercollection.
Gosibius intermedius
Gosibius intermedius is a centipede species in the family Lithobiidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1917. It belongs to the order Lithobiomorpha, a group commonly known as stone centipedes or lithobiomorphs. The species has been recorded from California, USA, with 36 observations documented on iNaturalist. As with other lithobiid centipedes, it is likely a predatory soil-dwelling arthropod, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Gosibius montereus
Gosibius montereus is a species of lithobiomorph centipede described by Chamberlin in 1917. It belongs to the family Lithobiidae, a group of stone centipedes characterized by elongated bodies and 15 pairs of legs in adults. The species is known from a limited number of records in California, USA. Like other lithobiids, it is likely a predatory soil-dwelling arthropod, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Hesperentomon macswaini
Hesperentomon macswaini is a species of proturan described by Price in 1960. Proturans are minute, wingless hexapods that inhabit soil and leaf litter environments. This species belongs to the family Hesperentomidae and has been documented from North America. Like other proturans, it likely lives in concealed soil habitats and feeds on fungal hyphae and decaying organic matter, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Heteromurus
Heteromurus is a genus of slender-bodied springtails established by Wankel in 1860. The genus contains at least three described species: H. margaritarius, H. nitidus, and H. tenuicornis. Members are placed in the subfamily Heteromurinae and are characterized by elongated antennae and a generally slender habitus compared to other entomobryomorph springtails. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, particularly regarding the subgenus Verhoeffiella, which includes cave-dwelling species showing troglomorphic adaptations.
Heteromurus nitidus
slender springtail
Heteromurus nitidus is a species of slender springtail (Collembola) characterized by a superhydrophobic cuticle that enables it to float on water. The species produces nitidane, an irregular prenylated diterpene with a unique seven-isoprene structure that dominates its cuticular lipids—unlike typical insects that rely on hydrocarbon mixtures. Its distribution is influenced by soil acidity, with documented interactions involving earthworms and predator pressure. The species exhibits seasonal changes in wetting behavior and tends to aggregate in coordinated groups.
Morulina crassa
Morulina crassa is a species of springtail in the family Neanuridae, first described in 1980. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group of springtails characterized by a relatively compact body form compared to the more elongate Entomobryomorpha. The species is part of the genus Morulina, which is placed in the subfamily Morulininae. Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Neanura persimilis
Neanura persimilis is a species of springtail described by H.B. Mills in 1934. It belongs to the family Neanuridae, a group of soil-dwelling hexapods characterized by reduced or absent furcula (springing organ). The species has been documented in North America with records from northern, southern, and Pacific regions.
Nothembius
Nothembius is a genus of centipedes in the family Lithobiidae, established by Chamberlin in 1916. As lithobiomorph centipedes, members of this genus possess the characteristic elongated body plan with 15 pairs of legs in adults. The genus is part of the diverse lithobiid radiation in North America. Records indicate limited but documented occurrence, with observational data suggesting ongoing presence in specific regions.
Nothembius insulae
Nothembius insulae is a species of lithobiomorph centipede described by Chamberlin in 1916. It belongs to the family Lithobiidae, a group commonly known as stone centipedes. The species is known only from California, USA. Like other lithobiids, it is presumed to be a predatory soil-dwelling arthropod, though specific biological details remain undocumented.
Orchesella
Orchesella is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Orchesellidae, characterized by subdivided basal antennal segments. The genus comprises approximately 96 species distributed across diverse global habitats from Arctic to tropical regions. Several species, notably O. cincta, have been extensively studied as model organisms for understanding heavy metal tolerance and evolutionary adaptation to polluted environments.
Orchesella celsa
Orchesella celsa is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Orchesellidae, described by Christiansen and Tucker in 1977. It belongs to a genus characterized by elongated body forms and well-developed furculae (springing appendages). The species occurs in North American and Caribbean regions. As with other Orchesella species, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments.
Orchesella cincta
Belted Springtail
Orchesella cincta is a relatively large springtail species, averaging 4 mm in length—substantially larger than most springtails, which typically remain under 1 mm. The species is distinguished by its distinctive 'belted' coloration, with a darkly pigmented third abdominal segment contrasting against lighter adjacent segments. Native to Western Europe and North America, it has also been introduced to Saint Helena. This springtail exhibits notable physiological plasticity, including populations with evolved heavy metal tolerance from contaminated mining sites.
Oropodes
Oropodes is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by reduced elytra and compact body form typical of the tribe Trichonychini. Members are among the smallest staphylinid beetles, with most species measuring under 2 mm. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and is currently placed within the subtribe Trichonychina. These beetles inhabit forest litter and soil microhabitats where they function as microbivores or predators on small arthropods.
Schaefferia duodecimocellata
Schaefferia duodecimocellata is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Hypogastruridae, described by Bonet in 1945. The specific epithet 'duodecimocellata' refers to twelve ocelli (eye spots), a distinctive ocular feature. As a member of Poduromorpha, this species belongs to a group of soil-dwelling springtails with a compact body form. Records indicate presence in North American and Caribbean regions.
Seira dubia
Seira dubia is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Christiansen and Bellinger in 1980. Springtails in this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender body form and are members of the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the most diverse lineages of Collembola. As with other members of its family, S. dubia possesses a furcula (springing organ) that enables the characteristic jumping behavior of springtails. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases but appears to have limited published documentation beyond its original description.
Sinella curviseta
Sinella curviseta is a slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, widely used as a model organism in soil ecology and ecotoxicology. The species produces curvisetone, a male-specific tricyclic nor-diterpenoid with an unprecedented carbon skeleton, which peaks before oviposition and may function in reproductive communication. It is among the most abundant soil arthropods in many temperate ecosystems.
Sinella recens
Sinella recens is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae, described by Christiansen and Bellinger in 1998. Springtails in this genus are small, soft-bodied hexapods characterized by their furcula (springing organ) used for locomotion. The species is part of the diverse North American springtail fauna, though specific ecological and biological details remain limited in published literature.
Sminthurinus
Sminthurinus is a genus of springtails in the family Katiannidae, described by Börner in 1901. The genus contains approximately 90 described species. Members of this genus are globular springtails (order Symphypleona), characterized by their rounded body shape. They are found across diverse geographic regions including Arctic, Antarctic, Andean, and oceanic island habitats.
Styletoentomon
Styletoentomon is a genus of minute, soil-dwelling proturans in the family Eosentomidae. The genus was established by Copeland in 1978 and contains two described species: S. rostratum and S. styletum. Proturans in this genus lack antennae and eyes, and possess distinctive mouthparts adapted for feeding on fungal hyphae and decaying organic matter in soil and leaf litter habitats.
Symphyla
Symphylans, Garden centipedes, Pseudocentipedes
Symphylans are small, cryptic, soil-dwelling myriapods that resemble centipedes but are non-venomous and only distantly related. They range from 2 to 13 mm in length, lack eyes and pigment, and possess 12 pairs of legs as adults. These arthropods are rapid runners that move through soil pores and are found from the surface to depths of about 50 cm. More than 200 species are known worldwide, with populations reaching up to 88 million per acre in favorable conditions.
Symphylella
Symphylella is a genus of symphylans in the family Scolopendrellidae, comprising approximately 49 cosmopolitan species of minute soil-dwelling arthropods. These myriapods inhabit soil and litter layers of broad-leaf and bamboo forests, where they are extracted using Berlese-Tullgren funnels. The genus is characterized by diagnostic morphological features including chaetotaxy patterns on the frons and tergites, with recent taxonomic work identifying two morphological groups based on inserted setae patterns on tergal processes.
Willemia denisi
Willemia denisi is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Hypogastruridae, first described by H.B. Mills in 1932. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group characterized by a cylindrical body form and reduced furcula. The genus Willemia contains multiple species distributed across various habitats, though specific biological details for W. denisi remain poorly documented in the available literature.