A Venusta Orchard Spider tends its web at Cold Harbor
(NPS Photo)
Insects, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes, along with several other animal classes, comprise the phylum Arthropoda. Arthropods represent one of the most rich and diverse groups of Richmond National Battlefield Park fauna. Although most arthropods are easily overlooked when enjoying the natural beauty of the park, their impact on park ecosystems is profound.
From bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies pollinating wild flowers to wolf spiders hunting along the forest floor, arthropods fill many niches critical in maintaining natural environments. Certain species, such as termites and millipedes, are known as decomposers. They are the park's most active recyclers, responsible for breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. Other species, like butterflies and beetles, are essential pollinators for crops and flowering plants.
The sounds of crickets chirping in a field or cicadas humming in the trees may be the only direct interactions visitors have with arthropods at the park, but these species provide essential support for RNBP's historic landscapes. Athropods maintain critical ecosystem functions, ensuring that the park's natural spaces - fields, meadows, and forests - remain healthy and productive.
