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The two most common species of earthworms in Northern Virginia are the Common Earthworm, or "nightcrawler" (Lumbricus terrestris) and the Red Earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus). These earthworms were introduced from Europe many years ago. Most native earthworms are thought to be long gone. Earthworms' bodies are soft and long with a cylinder shape. Nightcrawlers, the largest, can grow up to eight inches long. Their coloration is brownish-red. Earthworms live in soil in meadows, woods, stream banks, and lawns. They burrow up to six feet deep. Earthworms are important in nature because they move through the soil, eating it and moving it. This mixes the nutrients in the soil and allows air and water to get into it as well. Plants will then grow better in the soil and this helps all wildlife. |
Dennis R.
Linden |
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Earthworms will eat just about anything organic (natural), especially dead leaves and other dead plant material. They will also eat manure (animal poop), some living plants (including Red Clover), and dead animals (carrion). Sometimes they accidentally eat tiny live animals because they are in the soil. Some favorite earthworm foods include dead leaves that are high in sugar, from trees such as American Sycamore, maples, ashes, birches, and American Elm. Earthworms breathe through their skin, so they must stay moist. Nightcrawlers build a burrow which has a small mound at the surface, called a "midden." At night the worm will stretch its body out to pull food back into its burrow. It keeps its back end anchored in the burrow so it can disappear quickly should a predator show up. This is why you will sometimes see a bird pulling on an earthworm from the ground. The rest of it is in its burrow. |
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Earthworms are
hermaphroditic, meaning they can all lay eggs after
they mate. Earthworms lay coccoons which have an
egg inside. Once an
earthworm has hatched, it can live up to about
three years. |
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