Coleoptera

Coleoptera

Coleoptera are beetles, one of the largest and most diverse orders of animals with more than 370,000 described species. Many beetles live on the soil surface or dig burrows into the soil and many Coleoptera larvae develop in soil. Beetles play major roles in decomposition, including feeding on dead plants, dead animals, dung, and preying directly on other soil animals.

Atlas Coleoptera Section

Coleoptera:

Larvae

Larvae

Many insects lay their eggs in soil, where the larvae develop before emerging as adults that may primarily live aboveground. Cicada, fly, moth, and beetle larvae can all be important members of soil food webs.

Atlas Larvae Section

Ground Dwelling Macrofauna

Litter Dwelling Macrofauna

Ground & litter-dwelling macrofauna: Many animals live and closely interact with soil, even if they are often associated as aboveground organisms. Spiders, scorpions, slugs, snails, and bees can all be important intermediaries between the soil environment and what lies above.

Atlas Ground Dwelling Macrofauna Section

Megafauna

Megafauna

Some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians live in soil burrows. They play important roles modifying gas and water flow through soil and transporting plant and animal material belowground. Moles, voles, gophers, prairie dogs, snakes, caecilians, and burrowing owls are all examples of soil megafauna.

Atlas Megafauna Section