• Farming Secrets
  • Free Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar Replay
    • Recommended Books
    • Facebook Group
    • 7 Steps to Healthy Soils
    • Free Gifts
  • Members Access PRO
    • Pro Membership
    • Members Perks PRO
    • Farm Tours / Walk the TalkPRO
    • Gold Nuggets PRO
    • Mastermind Replays PRO
    • Regenerative Soil Mastermind CallPRO
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • Featured Courses
    • Animal Health
    • Biodynamics
    • Compost and Compost Teas
    • Farming Systems
    • Human Health
    • Soil Health
  • My Courses
  • Farming Secrets
  • Free Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar Replay
    • Recommended Books
    • Facebook Group
    • 7 Steps to Healthy Soils
    • Free Gifts
  • Members Access PRO
    • Pro Membership
    • Members Perks PRO
    • Farm Tours / Walk the TalkPRO
    • Gold Nuggets PRO
    • Mastermind Replays PRO
    • Regenerative Soil Mastermind CallPRO
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • Featured Courses
    • Animal Health
    • Biodynamics
    • Compost and Compost Teas
    • Farming Systems
    • Human Health
    • Soil Health
  • My Courses

    Shopping Cart

    No products in the cart.

    Sign in Sign up

    Shopping Cart

    No products in the cart.

    • Log In
    • Register
    • Get Started
    • Learn About Soil
      • What’s New
      • Blog
      • Farm Tours
      • Podcast
      • Webinar Replay
    • Buy Courses
      • All Courses
      • Featured Courses
      • Short Courses

    Diversity Of Soil Organisms

    Macrofauna – Coleoptera

    Morphology
    The defining feature of beetles is the hardened forewings (elytra) that cover their body. The largest known beetles are more than 160 mm long, but most beetles are less than 5 mm long. Their colours are variable, although most soil-dwelling beetle species are brown or black. Their body shape is also variable: some have long horns or sharp tusks, some can curl up like myriapods, some are flat and some are slim. A number of soil beetles, such as the genus Carabus, are wingless.

    Taxonomy
    Beetles are hexapods belonging to the order Coleoptera. This includes four suborders: Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga and Polyphaga. Of these, Adephaga and Polyphaga have more species than other suborders, including most soil species.

    Microhabitat
    In terrestrial environments, many beetles can be found in soil, humus and leaf litter, under logs or in decomposing wood, under stones, in dung, carrion and in the fruiting bodies of many types of fungi. Numerous beetles are well adapted to the soil environment. Some carrion beetles and some dung beetles build nests in the soil, in which they take care of their brood. Some species live solely in caves while others are myrmecophiles (ant lovers) or termitophiles (termite lovers) as they strikingly resemble ants or termites and live in their hives.

    Diversity, abundance and biomass
    There are more than 370 000 described species of Coleoptera – it is the largest and most diverse order of organisms on the planet, making up about 40 % of all described insect species, and about 30 % of all described animal species. The abundance and biomass of beetles on ephemeral and nutrient rich resources, such as carrion and dung, are very high. Beetles significantly contribute to decomposition processes. Besides being abundant and varied, soil beetles are able to exploit the wide diversity of food sources that are available in their habitat. Many species are predators of small soil animals such as earthworms, collembolans and nematodes. Others feed on fungi or dead wood.

    The caring gravediggers

    • Burying beetles bury carcasses of small vertebrates, such as birds and rodents, as a food source for their larvae.
    • They are unusual among insects in that both the male and female parents take care of the brood.
    • Although parental responsibilities are usually carried out by a couple of beetles, a male or a female may also care for the brood alone, when the other partner is lost or the carcass is small.
    • Sometimes more than two unrelated individuals can raise a brood together, when the carcass is large or many potential competitors are present.

     

    Ref: A Global Atlas of Soil Biodiversity p 59

     

    Soil Lovers at Soil Learning Center Say:

    How Many Species Of Beetles Are In Your Soil?

    Download PDF

    🔒 PRO Access Only

    Some content on this page is locked to members only!

    Dig Deeper and unearth your connection to the soil. Soil PRO membership is a revolutionary community that connects you with all things soil-related, from global challenges right down to the soil in your own backyard.

    Unlock the years of video archives, search the vault for "soil-utions", connect with mentors who can help you fast track and join an online community of soil loving enthusiasts on our Mastermind Calls.

    It's non-stop soil learning goodness!
    UPGRADE TO PRO NOW
    Locked

    We acknowledge First Nations owners of Country and their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture across Australia and from all over the world. As Soil Lovers we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we work and pay our respects to the Elders past present and emerging. When caring for your land take a moment in stillness to respect the wisdom your land is sharing with us.

    Facebook-f Youtube Microphone-alt

    Latest Soil Blogs

    Earth Month: Compost is the Quiet Revolution That Restores the Soil

    Worms: The Unsung Heroes Beneath Our Feet

    The belief that regenerative agriculture cannot sustain global food demands is a misconception.

    Is Regen Farming A Priority For You Right Now?

    Celebrating Change In The Last 20 Years Of Farming

    The Future of Food in a Technological World

    Soil Matters Monthly Newsletter!

    Dig into the most up-to-date news on soil health and regenerative trends – with community tips from top experts and mentors! Sign Up Now!

    Your information is 100% secure. We will NEVER share your information with anyone.

    ©2006 - 2022 All rights reserved​.

    Made with 🤎 Created by Soil Lovers at Farming Secrets.

    Omg... this sale is crazy!

    Days
    Hours
    Minutes
    Seconds

    hurry up and grab these deals:

    • 50% Courses
    • 30% Digital Downloads
    • 30% Memberships
    View all the deals