WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR SENSE OF HUMUS? “Humus: the relatively stable end product of composting, rich in nutrients and organic matter and highly beneficial to both the soil and plants.” The Rodale Book of Composting

A compost “heap” may sound like a disorganized mess, however, the raw organic materials provide for a diverse and intricate community of micro- and macro organisms. The Microorganisms: Bacteria (the work horse of the pile) Actinomycetes (what gives humus it’s earthy smell) Protozoa (small role) Fungi (enter final stages of decomposing) Microorganisms= Chemical Decomposers Macro Organisms= Physical Decomposers Nearly all are beneficial and each has a role in the decomposition

The Macro Organisms Mites, Millipedes, Centipedes Sow bugs, Snails, Slugs, Spiders, Springtails Beetles, Ants, Flies, Nematodes, Flatforms, Rotifers Earthworms (Hero!) All organisms form a complex food chain, and are categorized as first level consumers, second level consumers, and/or third level consumers Each level of the food chain keeps the previous level in check, keeping balance in the pile.

The life purpose of bugs in a compost pile is to: Bite, grind, suck, chew, move, displace, spindle, disfigure, abrade, crush, pulverize, crunch, crumble and reduce. The smaller size particles make the organic material more suitable for the chemical work of the microorganisms. And of course, they poop.

Food Web of the Compost Pile Where we get our sense of humus COMPOST (organic residues) Chemical Bacteria Fungi (molds) Actinomycetes Decomposers (microscopic) First level Second Level Springtails Mold Mites Feather-winged Beetles Beetle Mites Chemical Soil Flatworms Decomposers Second and Ground Beetles Psuedoscorpion Centipedes Rove Beetles Third Level Spiders Predatory Mites Ants Decomposers All first level chemical decomposers feed on the organic matter in the compost pile. The physical decomposers feed on the organic matter and lower level chemical decomposers. The higher levels of the food chain feed on lower, according to color. Adapted from Dindol, D.L “Ecology of Compost” Physical/ Beetles Mites Earthworms Millipedes Snails/Slugs Sow bug Fly Roundworms Chemical Decomposers: Rotifera Roundworms Nematodes Protozoa First Level

Macro organisms function best at medium or mesophilic temperatures, so they may not be present in the pile at all times. Mites: Reproduce quickly; attack plant matter, and eat fungi, but can also be 2nd level consumer. Beetles: Feather winged beetle (2nd level consumer- eats fungal spores). Rove and ground beetles eat dying vegetation; third level consumer. Sow Bugs: Eats decaying vegetation: first level consumer. Snails/Slugs: Eats living plant material (keep out of garden) but also fresh garbage and plant debris. Okay in compost. Ants: First level consumers, pile may be too dry. Ants thought to be beneficial because they bring fungi and other organisms to nests, while bringing back phosphorous and potassium from deeper levels of soil, constantly moving minerals from one place to another. Spiders: Related to mites. They eat insects, small invertebrates, and can control garden pests. Third level consumer.

Grubs/Green Fruit Beetle: Grubs are larval stage of adult green fruit beetle. Grubs eat decaying organic matter, while adults eat overripe, rotting fruit. They are C-shaped, white with dark gray at the tail. Unfolded, they walk on their back, with legs in the air, tunneling into compost. This style of moving is specific to this species, not the more destructive kinds of grubs. Soldier Fly: They feed on anything organic. Larval phase in compost is maggots (although maggots don’t survive the thermophilic stage). Flies provide ideal transportation of bacteria on their way to the pile, and are voracious consumers of nitrogen-dominant decaying material. If you are bothered by them, place 2 inches of browns to cover food scraps. Springtails: They feed on decomposing plants, pollen and fungi.Second level consumers. Millipedes: They eat plant material; first level consumers. Centipedes: Feed on living animals like insects and spiders. Third level consumers. Earthworms: Champion Decomposers! They are both physical and chemical decomposers, as their castings add bacteria, organic material, available nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. First level consumers.

Fun facts for Compost Lovers, bugs and all. How many legs does a millipede have?

No, not one thousand… Common species have between , although a rare species has 750.

What is a detritivore?

An organism that obtains its nutrients by consuming detrius (decomposing organic matter).

Slugs have been described as so undifferentiated in appearance that one species is frequently mistaken for what?

Half a potato

What is a furcula?

It is the jumping mechanism of the springtail. Located on its fourth abdominal segment, the springtail releases the furcula and is propelled through the air, up to a distance of 20x its body length.

Charles Darwin suggested that “all fertile areas of the planet have at least once passed through the bodies of what decomposer?”

The earthworm! Compiled by Susan Wingate, Master Composter 2009 ©susan wingate photography, except potato and millipede image