European nightcrawler
| Eisenia hortensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Haplotaxida |
| Family: | Lumbricidae |
| Genus: | Eisenia |
| Species: | E. hortensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Eisenia hortensis (Michaelsen, 1890) | |
The European nightcrawler, Eisenia hortensis or Dendrobaena veneta, is a medium-small earthworm averaging about 1.5 grams each when fully grown. Generally pink-grey in color with a banded or striped appearance. The tip of the tail is often cream or pale yellow. When the species has not been feeding, it is pale pink. The species is usually found in deep woodland litter and garden soils that are rich in organic matter in European countries. Eisenia hortensis is sold primarily as a bait worm, but its popularity as a composting worm is increasing. [1]
Compared to E. fetida, E. hortensis does best in an environment with a higher carbon to nitrogen ratio. This makes it well suited to compost pits high in fibrous materials commonly known as browns. [2] European nightcrawlers can be invasive and should be used only in contained compost systems in parts of the world with northern deciduous and boreal forest ecosystems. [3]
Dendrobaena Worms Reproductive rate
- 0.8 eggs per adult per week
- 1 baby per egg
- Male and Female reproductive organs
- Net reproduction of 0.8 young per adult per week
- From Egg To Sexual Maturity = 20 weeks
References
- ↑ http://www.wormsetc.com/worms-etc-blog/2010/12/red-wiggler-european-nightcrawler-part-2/
- ↑ http://www.wormsetc.com/worms-etc-blog/2010/12/eisenia-fetida-hortensis-whats-difference-red-wigglers-european-nightcrawlers/
- ↑ http://www.redwormcomposting.com/general-commentary/do-composting-worms-pose-a-threat-as-invasive-species/