Eek! What's that? Central Florida's Creepy Crawlies

Have you ever wondered what’s under the leaf litter in your backyard? At first glance, there might not seem to be much there, but upon closer inspection … what you find might send a shiver down your spine!

While “creepy crawlies” isn’t a scientific term, we’re using it here to talk about small invertebrates (like insects, worms, and spiders) that are often viewed in a negative light or go entirely unnoticed but play a huge role in our ecosystem. Central Florida’s warm humid climate makes our state a haven for the following creatures:

· Orb-Weaver Spiders – They create gorgeous and intricate webs–but there’s nothing like the sudden chill of walking face-first into one at night!

· Millipedes – Depending on the species, millipedes can have hundreds of legs.

· Centipedes – These skittering critters are actually vicious hunters, but don’t worry–as long as you aren’t insect-sized, you’re safe!

· Earthworms – You might intentionally put earthworms in your garden or compost bin. If injured, they can actually regenerate missing parts... like something out of a monster movie!

· Beetles – Beetles come in a huge range of sizes, but are most easily identified by their oval-shaped, often shiny exterior shells.

· Moths, bees, and butterflies – These flying insects are known as pollinators, and they’re necessary for many plants to reproduce.

· Ants – Ouch! Some ants can definitely pack a punch with their bites, but most of them are harmless, and super important in the process of decomposition.

While they may make you squirm, these little guys actually play a big part in keeping Florida’s environment healthy. Let’s take a look at all the things our creepy crawlies do for the world around us!

NATURE’S RECYCLERS: THE DECOMPOSITION CREW

Have you ever wondered why fallen leaves, logs, and animal remains might seem to vanish into thin air?

This is due to the activities of beetles, termites, and other insects that love eating dead biological matter. They are decomposers, which means that they break down plant and animal material, turning it into rich nutrients that feed the soil. Without them, these materials would pile up.

Decomposition is crucial for nutrients to return into the soil and feed living plants, which then feed animals, which then feed other animals, so the decomposition crew kicks off the process that eventually produces the food that we eat!

SOIL SUPERSTARS

Beneath the surface, earthworms wriggle through the darkness, acting as natural tillers in our soil. Their burrowing aerates the soil, which means they allow oxygen to reach plant roots and other organisms living underground. They also mix organic matter that’s been broken down by the decomposers into the ground, evenly distributing nutrients so they’re available for plants!

POLLINATION POWERHOUSES

While bees often get the spotlight, many other insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, and even some flies contribute to pollination. Pollinators consume nectar, a sweet substance found within flowers. When they land on the flower, they unintentionally pick up pollen grains, which then fall off as the pollinator visits different flowers. In many plants, pollen grains must be exchanged between flowers in order to produce fruits and seeds, so the natural activities of pollinators facilitate this necessary reproduction process! In Central Florida’s diverse landscapes, native pollinators power everything from wildflowers to backyard gardens. For example, Gulf fritillary butterflies pollinate native passionflowers, while carpenter bees use their fierce buzz to release the pollen of plants like partridge pea. These pollinators are vital to maintaining the region’s biodiversity–and they can be super helpful in boosting the growth of any crops you might be hoping to harvest!

ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT

Creepy crawlies might be small, but they’re essential for the web of life … and not just the sticky kind you walk through at night. Though they may seem scary or gross to you, these critters provide key nutrients that sustain frogs, birds, lizards, and small mammals, directly impacting the function of the ecosystem and all of its species interactions.

Some insects will even assist your gardening efforts by eating pests! For example, lacewings and ladybird beetles (also known as ladybugs) eat aphids, which love to chomp on your leaves and herbs. They also eat some species of mites, which can cause rashes or skin irritation in humans.

So, while these small creatures may look unsettling, many are quietly working behind the scenes to keep your garden thriving and the ecosystem in balance. With a little awareness, you might come to see them not as pests, but as powerful allies in disguise.

EMBRACE THE CRAWLIES THIS OCTOBER

Now we know that these creepy crawlies can actually benefit us and our ecosystems, are you interested in supporting the spiders, insects, and other invertebrates around you? Here’s how you can help:

· Attract the “good bugs” – Providing a variety of native plants that flower at different times of the year can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects! Check out the UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions site for more information on what to plant: gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu

· Feed your decomposers – Consider adding plantbased compostable materials to your garden or backyard to provide a food source for your decomposers and to boost the nutrients in your soil!

· Let spider webs be – If you’ve got spider webs on the corners of your porch or out of the way in your backyard, it might be tempting to tear them down. But if they aren’t in your way, these spiders are likely helping to control pests in and around your home and they add some additional spooky decoration that you don’t have to pay for!

· Avoid use of broad-spectrum pesticides – Using a broad-spectrum pesticide on all of your bugs might kill the pesky ones, but it may also kill the beneficial ones as well. Check with one of our Extension agents for advice on how to target specific species (you may not even need pesticides as your first line of defense).

Next time you hear a mysterious rustle in the leaves or spot a spider web glowing in your porch light, pause before you shriek and take a moment to appreciate these unsung heroes of Central Florida’s natural world. October might belong to goblins, ghosts, and jack-olanterns, but the real magic lies beneath our feet where the creepy crawlies quietly hold up the balance of the ecosystem processes around us!