Arthropods, especially insects, are among the first animals to process plants into proteins and making it available to animals higher up on the food chain. And arthropods are very efficient at converting plants to yummy morsels. They contain more protein weight for weight than beef, chicken or pork. Being so nutritious and numerous, arthropods are the main course for many animals. Some have adapted special features to survive only on arthropods.
Arthropods are an important source of protein especially for young creatures.
Birds that otherwise eat only seeds and fruit will feed their hatchlings insects for better growth. Young green iguanas eat lots of insects then become strictly vegetarian as they get older. Even humans love arthropods. Besides seafood, many humans also eat insects . Besides eating up and processing the rubbish, arthropods also speed up the action of bacteria and fungi by increasing the surface area of the dead as they chew it up.