Insects in the Natural Recycling of Nutrients Insects in the Natural Recycling of Nutrients One of the most important but overlooked roles of insects is their involvement in the recycling of nutrients in natural systems.
Many insects are macrodecomposers , which help break down organic matter they scavenge.
For example, the manure of cattle and other animals would not break down without the role of such insects as dung beetles . Decay of dead animals is greatly accelerated by hide beetles and flies that feed on them. Decay of wood often is dependent on termites, carpenter ants and various insects that tunnel into it. Many scavenging insects also pull organic matter into the soil as they live and breed, further helping to build soil. Dung beetles often roll small balls of manure and bury them in the soil as a place to lay eggs.