Glossary

detritivorous insects

Detritivorous (deh-trí-tiv-er-uhs) insects feed on decaying organic matter, including dead plants, animal remains, feces, and shed skin.

By breaking down this material, they cycle nutrients back into the soil, helping to maintain forest health.

As key members of the decomposer community, these insects help convert complex organic matter into simpler forms that plants and microbes can absorb.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, common detritivorous insects are most often found in moist forest duff, leaf litter, and rotting wood. These include:

  • Rove beetles
  • Springtails
  • Certain ants
  • Termites

They also form the base of detrital food webs, serving as food for predatory insects, amphibians, and ground-foraging birds.

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