An animal that feeds on detritus. Examples of detritivores are earthworms, blowflies, maggots, and woodlice. Detritivores play an important role in the breakdown of organic matter from decomposing animals and plants (seedecomposer).
Geology and Earth Sciences
An organism that feeds on detritus, typically of plant origin but including some small animals and other organisms mixed with it. Comparescavenger.
Geography
An animal which feeds on fragments of dead and decaying plant and animal material. Detritivores have a vital part to play in food webs and nutrient recycling.