Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Worksheets - Free Printable

To solve this, we need to identify which organisms are decomposers.

Decomposers break down dead plants and animals. They help recycle nutrients back into the soil. Common decomposers include:
- Fungi (like mushrooms)
- Some bacteria (not shown here)
- Some insects that eat decaying matter (like earthworms or certain beetles — but note: not all insects are decomposers!)

Let’s go through each item in the grid:

1. Squirrel → Eats nuts and seeds → Consumer ✘
2. Beetle → Some beetles eat dead stuff, but many don’t. In basic science, unless specified as a “dung beetle” or “carrion beetle,” it’s often considered a consumer. But wait — look at the image: it’s a black beetle with spots? Actually, in many school worksheets, beetles are NOT automatically decomposers unless labeled. Let’s hold off.
→ *Actually, rechecking standard curriculum: Most beetles are consumers. Only specific types like dung beetles are decomposers. Since it’s just “beetle,” likely *

3. Plant → Makes its own food → Producer ✘
4. Snail → Eats leaves/plants → Consumer ✘
5. Jellyfish → Eats small sea creatures → Consumer ✘
6. Mushroom → YES! Fungi = classic decomposer ✔
7. Pigeon → Eats seeds/food scraps → Consumer
8. Earthworm → YES! Breaks down dead plant material in soil ✔
9. Strawberry → Fruit of a plant → Producer ✘
10. Cow → Eats grass → Consumer ✘
11. Fly → Adult flies may not decompose, but their larvae (maggots) do. However, in elementary science, flies are often listed as decomposers because they lay eggs on dead things and maggots break them down. So sometimes ✔ — but let’s check common standards.
→ *In many K–5 curricula, flies ARE considered decomposers due to maggot stage.* We’ll say ✔ for now.
12. Dragonfly → Eats other insects → Consumer ✘

Wait — let’s double-check the fly. If the worksheet is strict, maybe only mushroom and earthworm. But looking at typical answers for such grids:

Standard correct decomposers in this set:
- Mushroom ✔
- Earthworm ✔
- Fly ✔ (because of larval stage breaking down waste/dead matter)

What about the beetle? The image shows a spotted beetle — could be a ladybug? Ladybugs eat aphids → consumer. Or maybe a carrion beetle? Unlikely without label. Better to stick with clear ones.

Also, some worksheets include bacteria, but none shown.

Another thought: Is there any other? What about the snail? No — eats living plants.

So final list of decomposers from this grid:
→ Mushroom
→ Earthworm
→ Fly

But wait — let me verify with reliable source logic:

In NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) for grade 3–5:
Decomposers include fungi, bacteria, and detritivores like earthworms, millipedes, and some insects whose larvae consume dead organic matter.

Flies: yes, maggots are detritivores → so fly is acceptable.

Beetle: if it’s a general beetle, probably not. Unless it’s specified as a decomposer type, skip.

So checkboxes should be marked under:
- Mushroom
- Earthworm
- Fly

Now, where are they located?

Grid layout (row by row):

Row 1: Squirrel, Beetle, Plant
Row 2: Snail, Jellyfish, Mushroom ← mushroom is 3rd in row 2
Row 3: Pigeon, Earthworm, Strawberry ← earthworm is 2nd in row 3
Row 4: Cow, Fly, Dragonfly ← fly is 2nd in row 4

So boxes to check:
- Row 2, Column 3 (Mushroom)
- Row 3, Column 2 (Earthworm)
- Row 4, Column 2 (Fly)

Final Answer: Check the boxes under mushroom, earthworm, and fly.