|
This level includes both herbivores and carnivores: nematodes, protozoa, rotifers, soil flatworms,
springtails, some types of mites, and feather-winged beetles.
 |
Nematodes are tiny, cylindrical, often transparent microscopic
worms, and are the most abundant of the physical decomposers. A handful of
decaying compost can contain several million nematodes. Under a magnifying lens,
nematodes resemble fine
human hair. They can be classified into three categories: 1) those that live on
decaying vegetation; 2) those that are predators on other nematodes, bacteria, algae,
protozoa, etc.; and 3) those that can be serious pests in gardens where they
suck the juices of plant roots, especially root vegetables. |
 |
Protozoa are the simplest form of animal organism. Even though they
are single-celled and microscopic in size, they are larger and more complex
in their activities than most bacteria. Protozoa obtain their food from organic
matter in the same way bacteria will, but because they are present in far fewer
numbers than bacteria, they play a much smaller part in the composting
process. |
 |
Rotifers are minute worms which
usually have one or two groups of vibrating cilia on the head. Their bodies are round and
divisible into three parts: a head, trunk, and tail. They are generally
found in films of water and many forms are aquatic. The rotifers in compost
are found in water which adheres to plant substances where they feed on
microorganisms. |
 |
Flatworms are, for the most part, general scavengers that
graze on a wide variety of things including animal matter. As their name implies,
flatworms are
flat and usually quite small in their free-living form.
Most flatworms are carnivorous and live in films of water within the compost
structure. |
 |
Springtails are extremely numerous in compost. They
are very small wingless insects and can be distinguished by their ability to
jump when disturbed. They run in and around the particles in the compost and
have a small spring-like structure under the belly that catapults them into
the air when the spring catch is triggered. They chew on decomposing plants,
pollen, grains, and fungi. They also eat nematodes and droppings of other
arthropods and then meticulously clean themselves after feeding. |
 |
Feather-winged beetles
are the smallest of all beetles and possibly of all insects. These beetles are distinguished by their feather-like
wings. Some are blind and most live under bark in forests and
woodland. Not surprisingly they go unnoticed. Most species feed on
fungi. |
Compost Critters Home |
Level Three |
