Earthworms - These are quite large invertebrates, measuring up to 3 meters in length. Green worms that live in Russia belong to the order Haplotaxida (representatives of this order live throughout the Earth, with the exception of Antarctica) and to the family Lumbricidae, which includes about 200 species.
About 97 representatives of this family live in Russia. The importance of earthworms for the earth's biosphere is very difficult to overestimate. They eat dead plant tissue and animal waste products, then digest it all and mix the resulting mass with the soil. People have learned to use this feature for their own purposes to obtain the most valuable fertilizer - vermicompost or vermicompost.
These protozoa get their name because when it rains, they crawl out of their holes and stay on the surface of the soil. This happens because rainwater fills their holes and they can’t breathe, so they crawl out to save themselves.
Biohumus is a hydrophilic structure that has the ability to accumulate moisture. That is, when there is not enough water in the soil, humus releases moisture, and when there is excess, it accumulates. The phenomenon of humus secretion by worms can be explained by studying their structure.
The fact is that in the intestines of worms, after the breakdown of organic compounds, molecules of humic acids are formed, and they, in turn, come into contact with various mineral compounds.
Earthworms are very important in the formation of fertile soil, a fact noted by Charles Darwin. They dig holes 60-80 centimeters deep, thereby loosening the soil.
Today, people widely use worms for their own purposes. First of all, to obtain vermicompost. Worms are actively used in poultry and livestock farming for feeding. Worms are also widely used by amateur fishermen as good bait.
Earthworm coming out
When a worm emerges from a burrow to throw out excrement, it extends its tail forward, but if it sticks out its head to collect leaves. Consequently, worms have the ability to turn over in their burrows. Worms do not always release excrement onto the soil surface. If they find some kind of cavity, for example, near the roots of trees, in recently dug up soil, they deposit their excrement there. It is easy to notice that the space under stones or fallen tree trunks is always filled with small pellets of earthworm excrement. Sometimes animals fill the cavities of their old burrows with them.
Types of earthworms
According to the peculiarities of biology, earthworms can be divided into two types: the first includes worms that feed on the soil surface, the second - those that feed in the soil. In the first type, one can also distinguish litter worms, which live in the litter layer and under no circumstances (even when the soil dries out or freezes) do not descend deeper than 5-10 centimeters into the ground. This type also includes soil-litter worms, which penetrate the soil deeper than 10-20 centimeters, but only under unfavorable conditions, and burrow worms, which make constant deep passages (up to 1 meter or more), which they usually do not leave, but when When feeding and mating, only the front end of the body protrudes onto the soil surface. The second type can be divided into burrowing worms, living in the deep soil horizon, and burrowing worms, which have constant passages, but feed in the humus horizon.
Litter and burrowing worms inhabit places with waterlogged soils - the banks of reservoirs, swampy soils, soils of humid subtropics. In the tundra and taiga, only litter and soil-litter forms live, and in the steppes - only soil forms. They feel best in coniferous-deciduous forests: all types of lumbricids live in these zones.
MAGGOGY FOOD FOR RIVER FISH BREEDING STORAGE PHOTO.
Humus and its properties
Under natural conditions, the humification of plant residues in the soil is carried out not only by microbes and earthworms, but also by many other phytosaprophages. They create fine earthiness and looseness, affect the physical properties and structure, chemical processes, lead to the mixing of chemical elements, their accumulation and stabilization in the form of humic substances, which determine soil fertility. The more humus in the soil, the better the water, air and thermal conditions of the fertile layer, the better the nutrition of plants, the more active the formation of nitrates and carbon dioxide, necessary for photosynthesis and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by free-living microorganisms in the root horizon. The physicochemical interaction of newly formed humic acids with minerals protects them from rapid involvement in the biochemical cycle and promotes the fixation of humus in the soil.
Organic substances from plant residues are converted into humic acids and fulvic acids with the help of bacteria and worms. Plant residues also contain so-called ash elements - various metals, silicon, etc. Humic acids and fulvic acids interact with metals and form salts - humates and fulvates. Lithium, potassium, and sodium humates are soluble and easily washed out with water. They also represent the most valuable part of humus, easily accessible to plants. Humates of calcium, magnesium, silicon and heavy metals are insoluble and make up that part of humus that can be called preserves of soil fertility. They accumulated in chernozems throughout the post-glacial period. These humates are able to dissolve under the influence of enzymes of the plant root system, but in quantities that satisfy only their needs. They are not subject to hydrolysis, but have a great influence on the creation of an agronomically valuable, cohesive, water-resistant and porous structure that is not affected by erosion.
It should be especially emphasized that heavy metal humates are even more resistant to hydrolysis by enzymes of the plant root system and are practically not absorbed by them. This is the main ecological property of humus - binding heavy metals in the soil and protecting all life on Earth from their toxic effects, including heavy radionuclides! This protective property is as important for all living things as the protective property of the ozone layer around the Earth. The more humus there is in the soil, the more pronounced this buffering property of soils is: food and feed products grown on high-humus soils are environmentally friendly.
The main product of compost processing using technological worms is humic organic fertilizer (vermicompost, worm compost). Freshly prepared vermicompost (50% humidity) contains 12...15% humus, and absolutely dry - 30 (± 5)%. This humus fertilizer (according to numerous analyzes in different laboratories and different regions) contains (on an absolutely dry basis) 0.8...2% nitrogen, 0.8...2% phosphorus pentoxide, 0.7...1.2% potassium oxide, 0.3...0.5% magnesium oxide, 2...3% calcium oxide and all other micronutrients necessary for plants in a balanced form using natural technology in a total amount of 60...80 kg per 1 ton of absolutely dry fertilizer. But it is also a microbiological fertilizer. Adding it to the soil normalizes the development of processes characteristic of healthy soil.
Humic organic fertilizer exceeds manure and composts in humus content by 4...8 times. This is his main advantage. It also has other valuable properties, such as high moisture capacity, moisture resistance, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength of granules, the absence of weed seeds, the presence of a large amount of beneficial microflora, various enzymes, soil antibiotics, plant growth and development hormones, and vitamins.
It is also distinguished by sufficient constancy of such properties as friability, adjustable humidity, manufacturability, predictable impact on crop yields, harmlessness to the soil and products obtained from it, as well as good compatibility with certain chemical fertilizers, low energy costs for production and transportation and application to the soil. In combination with ameliorative and soil-structuring properties, such a fertilizer, produced using natural technology in industrial production conditions, is more competitive compared to any other artificial mineral fertilizers, especially with bedding manure and compost. Unlike manure and composts, it does not have an inert effect: plants and their seeds are very responsive to it, and productivity increases sharply in proportion to its quantity.
Lifestyle of worms
By their way of life, worms are nocturnal animals, and at night you can watch them swarming everywhere in large numbers, while remaining with their tails in their burrows. Stretching out, they scour the surrounding space, grab with their mouths (at the same time the worm's throat turns slightly outward and then retracts back) raw fallen leaves and drag them into burrows.
Since the body of the worms is unusually extensible, and is also covered with slightly curved back bristles, they are held in the burrow so tightly that it is very difficult to remove them from the ground without tearing them into pieces. The worms remain in their home for most of the day. An exception to this rule is sick individuals infected with parasitic fly larvae. Such animals wander on the surface of the soil in the middle of the day and die
What kind of soil do worms like?
Why do earthworms love sandy loam and loam soils? Such soil is characterized by low acidity, which is best suited for their life. Acidity levels above pH 5.5 are detrimental to the organisms of these representatives of the ringed type. Moist soils are one of the prerequisites for population expansion. During dry and hot weather, worms go deep underground and lose the opportunity to reproduce.
Where can you keep containers of earthworms?
In warm weather, containers can be placed outside. In the cold season - in a barn, basement or apartment. Ready-made humus is odorless, but during the processing of biomass, unpleasant odors can be released and attract insects. To avoid this, you can sprinkle the feed layer with prepared humus and use EM preparations (effective microorganisms) that accelerate the decomposition of organic waste and prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors.
Is it possible to artificially breed earthworms?
It's very possible. This technology is called vermicultivation. feel quite good at home The normal air temperature for worms is between +16 and +24°C (the higher the temperature, the more active the earthworms are and the more food they consume).
It is very important to maintain the correct humidity. Earthworms require a humidity level of 75-80%, and the water must not contain chlorine, otherwise they will die. It is best to use rainwater or settle with tap water. To determine the level of humidity, you can take the soil containing earthworms in your hand and squeeze it: if the moisture does not come out, then the humidity is low, if drops appear, it is high.
The earthworms' need for oxygen is met by loosening the soil using special vermicompost forks with rounded ends.
Earthworms can be kept in wooden or plastic boxes with a volume of 0.5-1 m³, as well as in compost heaps or pits. The acid pH of the environment for earthworms to live should be about 7 (if the pH deviates to 6 or 8, the worms die).
KORETRA FOOD FOR AQUARIUM FISH BREEDING STORAGE PHOTO.
It is recommended to sprinkle the contents of the container with earthworms with straw on top to protect it from drying out and reduce the temperature, and the bottom of the container should have drainage holes to remove excess moisture. Worms do not require lighting; they prefer to be in the dark.
What can you feed earthworms?
First you need to prepare the main nutrient substrate. There are many options for preparing it:
- Cattle manure (for a period of 3-6 months). Fresh manure is destructive to worms, and manure aged for more than two years has too few nutrients.
- Pig manure (for at least a year).
- Manure obtained from small livestock or rabbits can be used after 1-3 weeks.
- Kitchen waste not related to livestock products (meat, milk, eggs): potato peelings, remains of bakery products, fruit, cereals, tea and coffee leaves. In addition, you can use leaves, grass, straw, paper and cardboard in crushed form. Earthworms get used to the same food, and it takes time for them to switch to another. If you need to change their diet, then this should be done gradually, adding new food to the usual in small portions.
The feed mass is added to the boxes in a layer of 5-7 cm every 2-3 weeks, depending on the number of worms and their appetite. The worms leave the processed layer and rise higher to new food. This leaves a layer of humus underneath, ready to be used as fertilizer. Waste, manure and other substances must be crushed before placing them in a vermiculture container.CADDS FLY FOOD FOR RIVER FISH FISHING APPEARANCE PHOTO.
How to restore the number of worms in our areas
Deep tillage is the number one enemy of earthworms. By digging and turning over the soil, we destroy the burrows of invertebrates and kill them themselves. Contrary to childhood misconception, a worm cut in half with a shovel dies; it does not produce two individuals.
Scientists have found that earthworms are animals intelligent enough to leave a place where they are in danger. Therefore, in order for these useful animals to populate your garden, you need to abandon the shovel and cultivate the soil with a flat cutter.
In addition to digging, the use of mineral fertilizers negatively affects the well-being of worms. To prevent animals from dying, the concentration of soluble salts in the soil should not exceed 0.5%. With the constant addition of chemicals, this figure increases several times.
An earthworm will never settle in an area where it has nothing to eat. These animals are vegetarians and use decaying plant debris and microorganisms as food. We are used to completely removing weeds and “putting things in order” in the garden. In the fall, we remove all fruit-bearing and flowering annuals, tops, and fallen leaves. And we also burn it all! With this useless work we deprive earthworms of food and they leave our land.
In order to restore the population of earthworms in your areas, you need to give up the shovel. There is no need to poison animals with chemicals. It is necessary to leave a sufficient amount of organic matter in the ground for their proper nutrition - the worm will never settle on bare soil. In addition, there is another simple way to restore the population of these invertebrates - you can simply breed earthworms on the site.
Social structure and reproduction
Animals are hermaphrodites. Reproduction occurs sexually, by cross-fertilization. Each individual that has reached puberty has female and male genital organs. The worms are connected by mucous membranes and exchange sperm.
Interesting fact: Invertebrate mating can last up to three hours at a time. During the courtship period, individuals climb into each other's burrows and mate 17 times in a row. Each sexual intercourse lasts at least 60 minutes.
The reproductive system is located in the front of the body. Sperm are located in the seminal receptacles. During mating, cells on segment 32 secrete mucus, which subsequently forms an egg cocoon, fed by protein fluid for the embryo. The secretions are transformed into a mucous membrane.
Spineless lay eggs in it. The embryos are born after 2-4 weeks and are stored in a cocoon, reliably protected from any influences. After 3-4 months they grow to adult size. Most often, one baby is born. Life expectancy reaches 6-7 years.
The Taiwanese species Amynthas catenus has lost its genitals during evolution and reproduces through parthenogenesis. This is how they pass on 100% of their genes to their descendants, resulting in the birth of identical individuals - clones. So the parent acts as both father and mother.
Natural enemies of the earthworm
In addition to weather events that disrupt the normal life of animals with floods, frosts, droughts and other similar phenomena, predators and parasites lead to population decline.
These include:
- moles;
- small predators;
- amphibians;
- centipedes;
- birds;
- horseleech.
Moles eat earthworms in large quantities. It is known that they make provisions for the winter in their burrows, which mainly consist of earthworms. Predators bite off the spineless head or severely damage it so that it does not crawl away until the severed part is regenerated. The big red worm is considered the most delicious for moles.
Moles are especially dangerous for invertebrates due to their large numbers. Small mammals hunt for worms. Voracious frogs watch for individuals at their burrows and attack at night, as soon as their heads appear above the ground. Birds cause great damage to numbers.
Thanks to their keen eyesight, they can see the ends of worms sticking out of holes. Every morning, birds in search of food pull spineless ones out of the entrances with their sharp beaks. Birds feed not only on adults, but also pick up cocoons with eggs.
Horse leeches, found in various bodies of water, including puddles, do not attack humans or large animals due to their blunt jaws. They cannot bite through thick skin, but they can easily swallow a worm. At autopsy, the stomachs of the predators contained undigested remains of worms.
Circulatory system
Worms have a closed circulatory system consisting of two main longitudinal vessels:
- The dorsal branch moves fluid from the back to the front.
- The abdominal branch moves blood in the opposite direction.
These main vessels are connected by branches and ring vessels that carry blood throughout the body. It serves as a system for transferring oxygen from the skin and nutrients from the intestines directly to the muscles. Worms do not have a heart, and blood movement occurs due to the contraction of the muscular walls of the annular vessels.
The vessels branch into small capillaries, in which metabolism occurs. Blood does not mix with the cavity fluid, but moves in a closed manner - strictly through the system of vessels and capillaries. In this case, muscles are present in all vessels without exception.
Worms that do not have a system for pumping blood have a reduced metabolic rate and poor heat transfer. The special structure of the earthworm allows it to distribute nutrients and generate heat more efficiently.
Earthworms have red blood due to the presence of substances similar to hemoglobin. The skin epithelium is equipped with a network of capillaries that ensures good oxygen absorption. This kind of hemoglobin carries oxygen to every cell of the body. The intestinal walls are also covered with a dense network of vessels and capillaries.
How do earthworms survive winter?
During the winter, the vast majority of individuals hibernate. A sharp drop in temperature can instantly destroy worms, so they try to burrow into the soil to a depth in advance, often exceeding one meter. Earthworms in the soil perform the most important function of naturally renewing it and enriching it with various substances and microelements.
Benefit
In the process of digesting semi-fermented leaves, the worms’ body produces specific enzymes that contribute to the active generation of humic acid. Soil that has been loosened by earthworms is optimal for a wide variety of representatives of the plant kingdom. Thanks to a system of intricate tunnels, excellent aeration and ventilation of the roots is ensured. Thus, the movement of the earthworm is an important factor in the task of restoring the beneficial qualities of the soil. The earthworm is in fact very useful for humans. It makes the soil layers fertile and enriches them with all kinds of nutrients. However, the total number of individuals in many regions of Russia is rapidly declining. This happens due to the uncontrolled introduction of pesticides, fertilizers and mineral mixtures into the soil. Earthworms are also hunted by numerous birds, moles, and various rodents.
Mole habitat
Moles are common on the Eurasian continent in the European part of Russia, in the Urals and even in Western Siberia. The border of their habitat in the east is the confluence of the Ob and Irtysh rivers. They like soft, pliable soil that can be easily dug, and avoid dry and swampy areas. They can be found everywhere: in vegetable gardens, forests, floodplains, meadows and other places.
Arrangement of the worm house
If you want to start breeding earthworms at home, you need to equip a spacious worm barn in advance. The structure should become a comfortable home for the spineless, where they can live, eat and perform their biological duties.
A wooden box, a trough, an old bathtub and other similar structures can be used as a container. Experienced gardeners recommend placing high-quality open compost in the container. However, the ground must be protected with netting to prevent mass consumption of eukaryotes by birds and other natural enemies.
Proper worm care involves preparing suitable fertile soil. About 40 centimeters of compost should be placed at the bottom of the box, after which it should be filled with warm water. Next, you should create a straw bedding and wait a few days until the substances are completely absorbed. After completing these steps, you can put the worm into operation.
Finding the first group of worms to move is not difficult. It is enough to go to your own garden or vegetable garden and dig up a small layer of soil. Individuals living in the upper layers tolerate movement into the worm nest better than all others. Invertebrates are also sold in specialized gardening stores.
Settlement is carried out in several stages. The first thing a gardener needs to do is dig a small hole and then place a bucket of worms there. After this, the animals are covered with straw or burlap. In a week you will be able to notice the first results of the worms taking root.
To prevent the death of the colony, it is necessary to regularly monitor them. If the creatures demonstrate an active lifestyle, it means that they have managed to settle down normally , and everything is fine with them.
To improve adaptation to the new environment, the worms need to be fed only after 3-4 weeks. However, the heated liquid should be placed in the worm chamber at least twice a week.
Subtleties of proper care
To extend the lifespan of earthworms, they need to be properly cared for, providing comfortable conditions for development and reproductive functions. The key rules of care are to ensure a comfortable temperature, shade and stable access to food.
Professional gardeners recommend enriching compost manure with sand or crushed eggshells. Dry food is added to the soil approximately once every two weeks, but it is important to take precautions here so as not to overfeed the worms.
If you want to start breeding creatures at home, you need to remember that worms process almost everything that catches their eye. The main thing is that the products are small in size, because invertebrates do not have teeth.
Before replenishing the worm house with new food, you need to make sure that the previous organic matter is completely destroyed. If this is not the case, the animals will suffer from oversaturation and die. Leaving organic compounds in the compost will negatively impact the acidity levels, leading to deadly conditions. In addition, excess food supply contributes to the development of pests such as mites.
Caring for worms is relatively easy, but some requirements must be met. Only under such conditions will breeding a home farm bring the expected success.
How a mole sees
Perhaps the most interesting question concerns the mole's vision, or more precisely, whether the mole has eyes at all. In the cartoon about Thumbelina, we are used to seeing a blind mole with glasses. Although many people think that the mole is completely blind, this is not true. The mole has eyes, but they are very small and completely useless underground, which is why the mole has poor eyesight. Apparently, adaptation to the mole's habitat led to the disappearance of the eyes, but the development of the sense of smell and touch, which allows one to find food in pitch darkness by smell and touch.
