ABSTRACT
The path traced by each chemical element within a given ecosystem is incredibly complex (Swift et al. 1979). Beginning with primary production-the process of transforming simple chemical elements, obtained through abiotic means, into complex molecules by autotrophic organisms via photosynthesisapproximately 1-5% of the available light energy that reaches the earth is transformed into plant tissue through photosynthesis (Begon et al. 2006). This energy and the nutrients obtained by these autotrophic organisms are subsequently consumed by a series of heterotrophic organisms, ranging from herbivores to predators and parasites, in a process termed “secondary production.” Both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms constantly excrete energy, nutrients, and materials into the environment over the course of their lives, in the form of leaves, hair, feces, urine, and ultimately, dead bodies (Swift et al. 1979; Begon et al. 2006). The detritivorous insects that consume these materials, and transfer the energy and nutrients they contain back into abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems, are the subject of this chapter.
