Decomposition rates and amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus were measured for dead millipedes and crickets buried in forest litter in North Carolina and Georgia. An average of 30% of the original mass of millipedes and 14% of the original mass of crickets was recovered after 1 yr in the litter. Elemental losses generally followed the pattern: K @>P>Mg>Ca; however, elemental amounts occasionally stabilized and in one experiment calcium increased in amount over time. Decomposition of arthropod carcasses was described by a two—component, negative exponential decay model. Decay coefficients were used with literature estimates of arthropod standing crops to estimate standing crops of mass and elements of arthropod remains in forest litter and soil. Estimates of standing crops of mass, calcium, and magnesium of arthropod remains were greater than those of living forest floor arthropods.