In this article we will find out where the name “earthworms” came from, what they eat and what their features are. We have all noticed more than once that after a good rain on the roads and in parks you can see creatures crawling out that have a reddish tint and risk being trampled by people or animals. They are not very pleasant in appearance; small children, as a rule, are afraid of them. But, besides fear, children and adults are still interested in learning what earthworms eat. We will try to answer this question in detail in our article.
What are these creatures?
Biology classifies these representatives of the animal world as annelids. If you look closely at them, then on their thin body (50 mm in diameter, 15-30 cm in length) you can see rings, the number of which can sometimes reach 300. There are also very small worms about 2 cm. Few people know that There are giant worms that reach up to 2 meters in length. But they, like the others, are completely harmless and harmless to humans.
How to collect vermicompost from a worm shed
In a house built for them, worms live mainly in the upper layer, rich in fresh organic matter. Below is the vermicompost they produce, for which, in fact, the worms are bred.
In order to remove it, you need to carefully remove the top layer with worms and transfer it to a new prepared house. The bottom layer is sifted and laid out on beds, obtaining a unique environmentally friendly fertilizer. It is not recommended to scatter worms over the beds - they may not adapt to new, harsher conditions and die.
The vermicompost that your worms produce can be kept in reserve and used for replanting indoor plants and growing seedlings. Some enterprising gardeners even manage to make money from this by selling fertilizer to neighbors.
What are the benefits?
First, let's find out what earthworms eat in nature, and what benefits these creatures provide. The role of these individuals in nature is very great - they process all kinds of organic waste, turning them into humus. They swallow particles of biomass along with the soil and thoroughly mix them during digestion.
Humus is the organic basis of the soil; by consuming it, plants acquire the necessary nutrients. 90% of all humus is food for the existence of worms.
Composting organic materials
Composting is a mandatory technological operation during which complex biochemical (enzymatic) processes of decomposition of plant residues occur. For example, fiber, a complex polymer of sugars, breaks down into monosaccharides that are easily digestible by any microorganisms; proteins of complex amino acid composition break down into amino acids, which are also necessary for the synthesis of proteins of living and reproducing bacteria; ammonia nitrogen from urea, uric acid and other nitrogen-containing products excreted by animals is decomposed to ammonia in the form of products that are easily digestible by nitrophytic thermophilic bacteria; animal and vegetable fats are broken down into fatty acids necessary for the life of microbial associations and soil zoofauna. During composting, a high temperature rises in the decomposing material, which is destructive for weed seeds, spore forms of pathogenic bacteria, helminth eggs, nematodes, soil fungi, etc., while at the same time especially favorable conditions are created for the development of soil thermophilic nitrogen-fixing microflora. In the decomposing organic matter, the process of formation of animal protein (microbial biomass) and humus occurs.
Compostable materials thus become accessible, easily digestible food for the soil animal community. The main and most numerous species among this community are earthworms. Compost is intended to feed them.
Composting of organic-containing materials occurs only in piles. Many peasants and owners of personal plots compost organic waste in so-called compost pits. However, this is not composting, but ensiling (a completely different biochemical process associated with the formation of acidic decomposition products).
In order for the pile to be sufficiently saturated with air, its height must be 1.5...2 m. The pile is laid in the form of a pyramid or, if there is a lot of organic matter, in the form of a triangular prism.
To prevent heat loss and ensure conditions for the occurrence of biothermal processes in the surface layers of the mixture, it is better to cover the piles with prepared compost 5...20 cm thick in the summer and 30...40 cm in the winter.
When laying a pile of composted organic matter, you can add complex chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) at the following rate: per 1 ton of composted materials add 2...3 kg of double superphosphate, 1 kg of potassium sulfate, 2...3 kg of ammonium sulfate, 1 kg of magnesium sulfate, 60 g of boric acid or sodium borate, 3...5 kg of ground gypsum (chalk, lime, dolomite flour). Potassium chloride and other chlorides should not be used. In the soil, they decompose with the release of chlorine and form organochlorine compounds - dioxins, which are very toxic and dangerous for all living things. All this must be distributed evenly over the surface of the collar. After this, you should moisten the pile well (up to 60% humidity) and cover it with an insulating layer of old compost or just a layer of earth. The composted mass begins to warm up, and after 5...7 days in summer the temperature inside the pile reaches 53°C and above, in winter - after 7...10 days.
The second main biological component (after microbial) in compost processing technology is the productive species of dung (compost) earthworm. This species is widespread and easily adapts to various organic-containing substrates.
The second feature of worm cultivation is associated with the danger of violating sanitary and veterinary rules that occur when buying and selling worms. Worms are animals and are subject to animal quarantine regulations when making a purchase or sale.
Newly emerged juveniles of process worms are distinguished from nematodes by the presence of a red spinal blood vessel running along the entire body, which is clearly visible.
The presence of a nematode in a substrate with technological worms is determined simply: it is necessary to place the test substrate in a loose form in a clean glass jar. If there are nematodes in it - white worms, 1...3 mm long, thin, like threads, stick to the glass and “wave” their tail end. They must be examined with a magnifying glass.
The third feature of technological worms that sellers and buyers should remember is their fairly strict adherence to feeding on a substrate of a certain recipe. Technological worms always painfully tolerate the replacement of one substrate with another, which is accompanied by their death or a sharp decrease in their productivity, even with such a seemingly insignificant replacement of one nutrient substrate (compost based on cattle manure) with another substrate (compost based on bedding manure from a neighboring calf barn ). The manure of calves fed with milk contains large amounts of protein. This protein is poorly (slowly) fermented (decomposed) when such manure is composted, which manifests itself in a toxic effect on worms that are not adapted to consume it.
An even greater risk of losing purchased worms arises when they colonize a completely foreign substrate, for example; compost based on pig, horse, chicken manure, etc. Their settlement is possible only with cocoons of future technological worms. Worms emerging from cocoons, with the first sip of food, receive information that configures their digestive system to process food only of a given component composition. This miracle of nature is akin to the appearance of immunity in an animal to the introduction of a foreign antigen into its body, for example, an anti-diphtheria vaccine or some other vaccine. After vaccination, as is known, a given organism becomes protected from diphtheria, measles or plague, etc. Likewise, newborn worms, having tasted their first food, become only consumers of it, and not of anything else. You need to know and remember this.
Re-adaptation of the digestive system of adult worms from one food to another is a painful process and is often associated with their death.
What do earthworms feed on in the soil?
I would like to immediately note that earthworms are omnivores. Since they feed on what is on the surface of the earth, at the same time they swallow a large amount of earth, which gives them the organic elements they need so much. In addition, the worms eat a large number of half-rotten leaves. It is important to note that earthworms do not have teeth directly in the mouth - they are located in the stomach. To receive food, the worm sucks it in with its special organ - the pharynx.
Thanks to the muscles of the body, food moves further, pushing first into the crop and then into the stomach. And already inside, food is ground into small particles by tooth-like protrusions. After this, the food is digested in the intestines by enzymes, useful substances are absorbed, and waste is excreted from the body. Since the worms have a small mouth, this explains why they eat rotten leaves and plant debris. Fresh sprouts can damage the delicate and small body of the worm. Usually such worms live under last year's leaves, where the soil is rich in humus. In such places they are provided with tasty food - pieces of plants, rotted organic matter.
Reproduction and development
The life cycle of an earthworm is the same for all types of small bristles. Earthworms are hermaphrodites. Every adult has both male and female reproductive organs. Invertebrates reproduce sexually through cross-fertilization.
During the mating process, two mature individuals exchange sperm. At the same time, the cells of the belt (a thickening located in the first third of the body) secrete mucus, from which a cocoon is formed for oviposition and a protein substance for nourishing developing embryos. Together, the secretions form a kind of friction.
The worm crawls out of this formation with its rear end, laying eggs in the mucus. The edges converge, and the eggs remain under the reliable protection of the cocoon, which the worm leaves in the hole. Within 2–4 weeks, embryos develop inside the cocoon, after which small worms are born. After about 3–3.5 months they reach adult size.
How long an earthworm lives depends on the species and environmental conditions. On average, life expectancy is 4–7 years.
What is the process of eating?
Earthworms drag half-rotten or fresh leaves into their holes and eat them there. Usually they try to tear off small pieces, capturing the edge of the leaf between the protruding upper and lower lips. At such a moment, his throat, protruding, creates a support point for the upper lip. But if the worm encounters a wide flat leaf, it will behave a little differently. The front rings are slightly pulled into the others, thereby expanding the body. At this time, the pharynx is pressed against the plane of the leaf, then pulled back and made a little wider. As a result, a kind of “vacuum” is created in the dimple on the front of the body. The work of the pharynx at this moment is comparable to a piston, and the worm is very firmly attached to the leaf.
In addition to using leaves for food, these creatures cover the entrance to their burrow. To do this, they bring there pieces of stems, dried flowers, paper, feathers and whatever else they find. When a worm has swallowed soil for food or making burrows, it comes to the surface to empty its insides. The soil that the worm expels from the body contains a lot of secretions from the intestinal tract and therefore becomes viscous.
Internal structure
The internal structure of earthworms is quite complex.
The circulatory system is closed and consists of two main vessels:
- abdominal (blood moves from the front of the body to the back);
- dorsal (blood moves from the back of the body to the front).
The main vessels are connected by ring vessels located in each segment of the body and passing into smaller capillaries. Some annular vessels are thickened and can contract, moving blood from the dorsal to the ventral vessel.
Respiration of earthworms occurs through the surface of the body.
The digestive system is connected in series:
- mouth opening;
- pharynx;
- esophagus;
- muscular belly.
From the stomach and almost to the end of the body runs the middle intestine, where food is digested and absorbed. Undigested residues enter the hind intestine and are then eliminated through the anus.
The excretory system is a set of thin ring-shaped tubes, one end of which enters the body cavity and the other exits. In addition, the worm has special excretory pores.
The nervous system consists of the brain (a large collection of nerve cells) and the abdominal brain with nerve ganglia in each segment, from which we can conclude that each segment is independent, but the work of all organs is coordinated.
What to feed the worm at home?
If you are not aware of what earthworms eat at home and what diet they need, then the following information is just for you. After all, it is necessary not only to create optimal living conditions, but also to provide the necessary nutrition for these individuals. Consider the food that can be used for an earthworm:
- Food waste (shells, peelings).
- Horse or goat manure.
- Tea leaves, coffee grounds, leaves, grass.
It is worth paying attention to what earthworms feed on and what is unacceptable for them. You need to know that the manure for feeding should not be fresh, but rotted, otherwise the worm will simply die. All this is due to the large amount of ammonia, which is found in fresh manure and is very harmful to your pets. There is no oxygen in an ammonia environment, so sometimes individuals die.
Worms' favorite treat
These animals prefer soil that contains large amounts of humus. The diet includes a variety of plant debris (for example, leaves fallen from trees and shrubs), including rotting ones. The worm takes them with it when it goes deeper into the lower layers of the soil. Many people are also interested in what earthworms eat on worm farms. There they are given humus and prepared food from old leaves and branches.
The obvious fact is that by “drilling” many tiny holes, the worms loosen the soil, making it possible for oxygen to enter it and enrich it with nutrients. Ultimately, this increases productivity. Experienced owners of summer cottages, taking into account the invaluable benefits of these tiny inhabitants of the soil, treat them with care and try to create conditions for reproduction and increasing numbers in gardens and vegetable gardens.
Earthworms in the garden or vegetable garden are the most desirable inhabitants. They bring many benefits to the soil, loosening and enriching it. Therefore, it is so important to know whether earthworms are useful, the characteristics of their life and methods of breeding in a summer cottage.
What not to do?
Also, when breeding pets at home, it is not recommended to feed them with fish, meat and dairy products. Also eliminate salty foods from your diet. In addition, neither canned cucumbers, nor tomatoes, nor cabbage will bring any benefit. You need to remember that feeding the worm once a week is enough. To do this, you need to crush the food and put it on the ground. The feed layer is allowed up to 10 cm.
When it comes to what earthworms eat, you need to know that they usually get used to the same food, and it will take them some time to switch to a different diet. If you decide to change their diet, then you need to do this gradually, adding new food to the usual in small portions.
As a rule, the feed mass is placed in boxes 5-7 cm thick once every 3 weeks, depending on the number, size and appetite of the worms. When they process one layer, they soon leave it and rise higher to a new one. After processing, humus remains in the lower layer, which can be used as fertilizer.
Not only is it important for us to know what earthworms eat, but we should also remember that these individuals are inconspicuous, quiet workers who make the soil fertile. They are the most important friends and helpers for gardeners and gardeners. They need to be protected and helped in every possible way.
Population and species status
If the soil is not contaminated, then you can count from several hundred thousand to 1 million earthworms, with their weight from 100 to 1 thousand kilograms per 1 hectare of arable land. Farmers who practice vermicultivation are interested in having as many worms as possible, so they breed worms themselves, ensuring maximum fertility of their lands.
With the help of worms, the process of processing organic waste into vermicompost, which is a high-quality fertilizer, occurs. Some farmers raise invertebrates to feed their animals and poultry. To do this, they prepare composts consisting of organic waste. As far as we know, fishermen actively use worms when fishing.
Experts, having examined ordinary chernozem, found 3 varieties of earthworms in it, and one species turned out to be 42 units per square meter of uncultivated land and only 13 units on arable land. No other species was found on virgin lands, and only one specimen was found on arable lands.
The number of earthworms depends on living conditions and can vary significantly from several hundred pieces to several hundred thousand pieces per square meter.
How to breed worms in the garden
These animals are found everywhere. Depending on the species, they inhabit soil layers at a depth of 10 cm to 1 meter. Since it is not difficult to breed worms in the garden, they are often grown in garden plots.
In order for the worms to settle in the required territory, you need:
- Dig a small hole in the ground, approximately 30-40 cm on sides.
- Place leaves, waste paper, and old newspapers at the bottom. Water generously with water or any slop containing organic residues.
- After about a week, you need to place a few worms collected in a damp place (under leaves, stones) on the prepared surface.
- After a few days, the “pets” begin to be fed. Any organic matter is suitable for these purposes: animal manure, bird droppings, food waste, vegetable and fruit skins, wet paper, bread crumbs, drunk tea or ground coffee. Feeding is carried out at least once every 2 weeks, each time covering the nursery with a 5 cm layer of food.
- The soil is regularly moistened. It is better to use settled or rain water, watering the nursery with it from a watering can. The optimal humidity for keeping earthworms is 80%.
- Twice a week, the compost heap is carefully loosened to enrich it with oxygen.
How to ferment worm food?
- Sprinkling with living earth.
- Watering with water and diluted living soil.
- Spraying with vermicha.
Since fermentation of food means its colonization with microbes, bacteria and fungi, which, in general, are food for underground predatory producers of vermicompost, because they are far from vegetarians and ingest only rotting plant debris, since they contain a huge number of living microorganisms. I often read something like this on the Internet: I agree, only if this waste may contain anthelmintic drugs and your vermicomposter is small and not protected from rodents. Now what absolutely should not be in the nutritional substrate of our hardworking pets in small and very small vermifactories.
