Lawn Shrimp
Scientific Name: Arcitalitrus sylvaticus
Order & Family: Order Amphipoda, Family Talitridae
Size: 5 mm to 20 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Moist leaf litter, mulch, and damp ground; often found on pavement or indoors after heavy rain.
Diet & Feeding
Scavengers that feed on decaying organic matter and detritus.
Behavior Patterns
They are terrestrial amphipods that require high humidity; they die and turn pink/red when they dehydrate or the habitat becomes too dry.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans and pets; they provide an ecological benefit as decomposers, but can be a nuisance if they die in large numbers inside homes.
Identified on: 6/6/2026