If you have a small outdoor composter, maybe somewhere casually placed in your backyard, soil invertebrates will make it into your compost pile contributing to the process of decomposition. Along with fungi, bacteria, and various other microbes, the microorganisms make an energy pyramid or food web with the various consumers present at various levels. These levels are primary level, secondary level, and tertiary level. The initial level of the energy source or the pyramid consists of organic materials that include animal residue and plants. Let’s take a quick look at the various levels of the pyramid;
| Tertiary Consumers (These organisms consume secondary consumers) Carabid beetles, formicide ants, rove beetles, predatory mites, centipede |
| Secondary Consumers (These organisms consume primary consumers) Soil flatworms, rotifers, protozoa, nematodes, winged beetle, mites, springtails |
| Primary Consumers (These organisms consume organic residues) White worms, sowbugs, millipedes, heartworms, slugs, snails, mites, nematodes, actinomycetes, fungi, bacteria |
| Organic Residues Food scraps, plant debris, grass clippings, leaves, animal bodies, and fecal matter |
In the pyramid above, we can see organic matter that includes plant debris etc. is consumed by invertebrates like slugs, snails, sowbugs, millipedes, etc. The invertebrates shred all plant matter and create plenty of surface area that is favorable for actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungi. These are then consumed by organisms like springtails and mites.
Various types of worms that include pet worms, redworms, nematodes, and earthworms consume microbes and vegetation. They then excrete organic matter which enriches compost. When they tunnel through the compost they aerate it, and as they feed, they also increase surface area for numerous microbes to work on. Therefore, as every decomposer excretes or dies, they make more food that is added to the food web.
Nematodes in compost
These are microscopic worms that are transparent and cylindrical in shape. They are available in abundance, for instance, one handful of has numerous millions of these worms in it. A study estimated that a rotting apple has over 90,000 nematodes. If viewed under any magnifying lens, these worms look like human hair.
Mites in compost
These are second to nematodes and are also commonly found in composting materials. Mites have 8 legs that look like joint appendages. A few of them can be viewed by naked eyes, while some are seen under the microscope. When viewed under the microscope, you can see these mites riding on other quicker moving invertebrates like beetles, millipedes and sow bugs. They also scavenge on organic debris, rotten wood as well as leaves. Some of them consume fungi.
Springtails in compost
They are also available in large numbers. These are wingless insects that are small and are distinguished by the tendency to jump if disturbed.
Earthworms in compost
Most of the work is done by them, especially among larger organisms. They feed on decaying insects, dead plants and continuously tunnel through the compost especially during the day.
Snails and slugs in compost
They live on plant material that is living; however, they also consume fresh garbage along with plant debris.
Centipedes in compost
They are quick-moving predators that are found a few inches in the initial top part of the composting heap. There claws are formidable behind the head and is full of poison. They use this poison to paralyze arthropods, new worms, insects larvae, redworms, etc.
Well, I do hope that this article has helped you understand more about the various bugs that you would find in compost. Do let us know if you have any new ones to add to our list. Thanks for stopping by, take care.