worms

Wonderful WorldWonderful World ofof

Welcome to theWelcome to the

EarthwormsEarthworms Free-living, beneficialFree-living, beneficial

Non - Parasitic!Non - Parasitic! Improve Improve soil structuresoil structure and and

fertility fertility Enhance microbial activity that Enhance microbial activity that

promotes plant growth and healthpromotes plant growth and health Serve as natural food for fish, birds Serve as natural food for fish, birds

and mammalsand mammals

““Intestines of the Earth”Intestines of the Earth”- Aristotle- Aristotle

“Ecosystem Engineer”“Ecosystem Engineer”- Lavelle et al.- Lavelle et al.

“Angel in the Backyard” “Angel in the Backyard” - Chinese- Chinese

(Source: Cuendet and Bieri, 1999)

Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms ClassificationClassification

Annelida (segmented worms)Annelida (segmented worms) Oligochaeta (few bristles)Oligochaeta (few bristles)

(Source: Gaddie and Douglas, 1975)

Biology of Biology of EarthwormsEarthworms Number of Earthworm SpeciesNumber of Earthworm Species

±4,000 in the world±4,000 in the world400 > in the Philippines400 > in the Philippines

CharacteristicsCharacteristics Breathe through their skinBreathe through their skin Hermaphroditic (have both sex organs)Hermaphroditic (have both sex organs) Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in

the soilthe soil Active at nightActive at night Many are migratoryMany are migratory

Biology of Biology of EarthwormsEarthworms Life CycleLife Cycle

Eudrilus eugeniaeEudrilus eugeniae (“African nighcrawler”) comes (“African nighcrawler”) comes from West Africafrom West Africa

Introduced in the Philippines in 1982 by Dr. Otto Introduced in the Philippines in 1982 by Dr. Otto GraffGraff

Most extensively cultured species in the tropicsMost extensively cultured species in the tropics

CocoonsCocoons(Eggs)(Eggs)

JuvenilesJuveniles(Young)(Young)

2 wks2 wksAdultAdult(Breeder)(Breeder)

2 wks2 wks

Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms Life SpanLife Span

1-2 years in nature1-2 years in nature More than 10 years in captivity More than 10 years in captivity

Growth RateGrowth Rate the “African nightcrawler” can grow to more the “African nightcrawler” can grow to more

than 30 cm in length and 3 grams eachthan 30 cm in length and 3 grams each

Ecology ofEcology of EarthwormsEarthworms Depending on their feeding pattern, earthworms Depending on their feeding pattern, earthworms

are classified into:are classified into: Epigeic – feed on litter at the surface without Epigeic – feed on litter at the surface without

burrowing in the soilburrowing in the soil

Ex. Ex. Eudrilus eugeniaeEudrilus eugeniae Anecic – feed on litter at the surface and burrow Anecic – feed on litter at the surface and burrow

into the soilinto the soil

Ex. Ex. Lumbricus terrestrisLumbricus terrestris Endogeic – feed on soil in permanent burrowsEndogeic – feed on soil in permanent burrows

Ex. Ex. Pontoscolex corethrurusPontoscolex corethrurus

Cultural Requirements ofCultural Requirements of EarthwormsEarthworms

Aeration (porous soil)Aeration (porous soil) Not water-loggedNot water-logged Oxygen needed for respirationOxygen needed for respiration

Moisture (40-80%)Moisture (40-80%) For maintenance of body fluids (80% > of body weight)For maintenance of body fluids (80% > of body weight)

Temperature Temperature ““Cold blooded”Cold blooded” Tropical species will die at temperatures below 12Tropical species will die at temperatures below 12ooCC

Organic Matter (decomposed plants and animal matter)Organic Matter (decomposed plants and animal matter) At least 2% to provide substrate for microorganismsAt least 2% to provide substrate for microorganisms C:N Ratio (proportions of carbon and nitrogen)C:N Ratio (proportions of carbon and nitrogen)

The African Night CrawlerThe African Night Crawler

Hermaphrodite, having both male testis Hermaphrodite, having both male testis and female ovary but can not impregnate and female ovary but can not impregnate itself. itself.

When two mature worms come together, When two mature worms come together, both worms secrete mucous covering both worms secrete mucous covering each other with a slime tube from each other with a slime tube from segment 9 to the rear of the clitellum. segment 9 to the rear of the clitellum. Both get pregnant.Both get pregnant.


Sexually mature worms breed every week Sexually mature worms breed every week and produce 2-10 worms per cocoon and produce 2-10 worms per cocoon capsule.capsule.

Adult worm produces about 1 egg capsule Adult worm produces about 1 egg capsule per earthworm weekly or 2-3 hatchlings after per earthworm weekly or 2-3 hatchlings after 3 weeks3 weeks

Hatchlings are tiny white threads about half Hatchlings are tiny white threads about half an inch long but they grow fast reaching an inch long but they grow fast reaching sexual maturity in 3-7 weeks. Three months sexual maturity in 3-7 weeks. Three months later, they are grandparents!later, they are grandparents!


Propagate effectively in culture units that are Propagate effectively in culture units that are shaded and well drainedshaded and well drained

Grows up to about 1 gram for mature worm, Grows up to about 1 gram for mature worm, just about the size of a drinking straw.just about the size of a drinking straw.

Segmented worm with a flat belly and Segmented worm with a flat belly and appears reddish-pink in color.appears reddish-pink in color.

Eats compost material including manure, live Eats compost material including manure, live in the upper layer of the soil about 3-6 inches in the upper layer of the soil about 3-6 inches deep from surfacedeep from surface


More prolific in a controlled environmentMore prolific in a controlled environment One kilo of worms may contain 1,000-One kilo of worms may contain 1,000-

4,000 worms4,000 worms Each worm is divided by two, and the part Each worm is divided by two, and the part

that contains the vital organs (4 hearts, a that contains the vital organs (4 hearts, a gizzard, intestines, male and female sex gizzard, intestines, male and female sex organs) is the only part that regenerates in organs) is the only part that regenerates in time. The other half of it dies.time. The other half of it dies.

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