The detritus chain plays a critical role in shaping community structure and sustaining ecosystems. It is initiated by the consumption of dead organic matter or scavenging. However, our understanding of scavengers in freshwater ecosystems remains limited. In this study, we experimentally investigated whether Thermocyclops taihokuensis, a cyclopoid copepod widely distributed across East and Central Asia and recently expanding its range into Europe, functions as a planktonic scavenger and whether it uses chemical cues to locate and utilize carcasses of other organisms. Our results show that T. taihokuensis approached and attacked cladoceran carcasses when presented experimentally, suggesting that this species can recognize as food. Indeed, T. taihokuensis was attracted to artificial baits infused with the odor of cladoceran carcasses but ignored baits without odor, indicating that chemical cues serve as a primary means for detecting carcasses. These findings suggest that although cyclopoid copepods are typically viewed as omnivores---grazing on algae and preying on animals---T. taihokuensis also functions as a scavenger. Consequently, it is likely that T. taihokuensis contributes to both the grazing and detrital food chains, reflecting its ecological versatility. This ability to utilize multiple food sources may help explain the recent expansion of its distribution.