Most are phytophagous but a few saprophagous and predatory species are known. N. orbicollis is known to be a saprophagous feeder. Most mite species associated with bee nests are either saprophagous or cleptophagous. Larvae typically prey on invertebrates or are saprophagous. They are mostly predators, but some are saprophagous (scavengers). They are a beneficial saprophagous species (detritivores). Like the Ulidiinae, most species are herbivorous or saprophagous. In regards to feeding, they may be saprophagous, mycophagous, or predatory. Saprophagous mites eat hive debris, especially parts with fungi growth. The larvae are mostly saprophagous, feeding in leaf litter, soil, bird nests, etc. Halicephalobus gingivalis is a free-living saprophagous nematode species identified and named in 1954 by Stefanski.