Written by: Liselotte Roll
Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".
If it weren't for nature's decomposers such as microorganisms, fungi, algae, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, snails, and insects, organic material like old leaves, feces, dead trees, and debris would never be broken down and turned into new soil - the cycle would completely halt. Life in the soil forms the basis for all life above ground, and the decomposing insects are a part of it. Some ants, beetles, wasps, springtails, and even flies are incredibly significant when it comes to converting organic material into new soil. They chew, shred, and organize the organic material so that fungi and microorganisms have more surfaces to attack - and together they release new nutrients.
What do decomposers like?
Insects that break down organic material, depending on the species, are interested in different types of organic material such as wood or leaves. For some insects, the stage of decay of the material is also important. For example, when it comes to beetles that live in trees, there are some species that only attack a specific type of wood in a particular state of decay. In other words, it must be reasonably decayed. As a tree dies and decomposes, different insects will thrive at different times. Additionally, many insects that break down material also rely on the wood being attacked by a specific type of fungus or a combination of several. To make it even more complicated, there are insects that only feed on decomposed material during a specific stage of their life, such as when they are larvae, and then transition to eating something completely different like nectar, pollen, or perhaps smaller insects. In short – there are many decomposing insects, and they like different things.
Threatened insects
Similar to several insects in the world, many of the decomposing insects are threatened. Destroyed habitats, monocultures, plant toxins, and climate change are some of the causes. But there are things you can do in your own garden to benefit the populations. Many insects do not move far in their lifetime, so what you do in the garden matters.
Take advantage of insects and decomposers
Organic farming and diversity are important for all insects. When it comes to decomposing species, it is wise to focus on open composts and piles of rice and twigs. Allowing leaves and other plant waste to stay in flower beds or covering crops with them is also beneficial to them. And ignore the leaf blower, it makes it difficult for the small insects.
This is how you can get more decomposing insects in your garden
Make open composts
Save piles of leaves and branches
Save dead trees
Clean and shred less among fallen leaves and plants
Cover crops
Cultivate diversity, meaning grow many different varieties of plants and flowers with different shapes and colors, preferably older untreated varieties.
Do not disturb the habitat.
Avoid digging, plowing, and using leaf blowers as much as you can.
Tips: If you cultivate in a so-called hugelkultur, a kind of cultivation where the core of the bed consists of old branches and wood, you feed the tree-dwelling insects at the same time as you get a crop where the core breaks down slowly. This releases nutrients over a longer period of time to the plants.
WRITTEN BY
Liselotte Roll, Swedish garden inspirator, journalist and author of books about nature, gardening and animals, such as "Earth", "Cultivating for Insects" and "Chickens as a Hobby". (Photo: Sandra Birgersdotter Ek)
