Diane Ridout wrote:
Hi Diane
Sowbugs, along with springtails are I think exclusively surface feeders.
I guess we are so conditioned to the idea of worms aerating the ground
for us that we aren't very aware of other creatures, but there are for
instance ants (which apparently largely replace worms in tropical places
and can be important also in temperate situations especially where the
worm population is sparse), all sorts of larvae particularly of beetles,
some caterpillars (cutworms, for instance), solitary bees, centipedes,
spiders, slugs and also, in areas like mine, cicadas. Some adult beetles
also maintain soil burrows.
Although they may not be popular with gardeners quite a few small
mammals dig burrows and tunnels as do some reptiles.
One of the problems with many of these creatures, however, is that they
often get their nourishment from feeding on live roots and bulbs or
generally disrupt the soil and when they are present in sufficient
quantities they can make quite a mess of our favourite plants and garden
layouts. Worms are undoubtedly a much better proposition from the
gardener's point of view..
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
