How do earthworms reproduce?

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Well-known earthworms are not only one of the links in the food chain in nature. These are also mini-factories for processing organic residues that fall on the ground into a nutritious substance called humus. Thanks to them, the soil in which they live becomes richer and is able to breathe. The underground passages that the worm makes as it moves below the surface allow air to penetrate to the roots of the plants.

What worms live in manure?

The dung worm, or compost worm (lat. Eisenia fetida), is a species of oligochaete worms from the family of true earthworms (Lumbricidae). The specific name fetida means "foul-smelling".

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Belt of earthworms

Reproduction of earthworms.
An important role in the exchange of germ cells is played by the girdle - a small thickening on the body of the worm. When mating, the girdles should be opposite each other, and abundant and thick mucus is secreted, covering the bodies of the worms in the form of a muff.

A visual diagram of earthworm reproduction.

Seminal fluid with reproductive cells exits through small holes into the coupling, and the partners exchange its contents. The worms crawl in different directions, and the fluid with the germ cells remains for several days in the cells of the girdle.

Earthworms are purposefully bred on many farms.

During this time, the seminal fluid matures, the girdle again secretes mucus in the form of a cocoon, the worm removes it from its body, crawls out of it and leaves it in the ground, and the eggs fall into the mucus.

Fertilization is completed, eggs remain in the cocoon, from which small earthworms develop, absolutely similar to adults. Egg cocoons are formed once a week. They are similar in shape to lemons, measuring only 2-4 millimeters.

Juvenile earthworms are very small in size.

The color of the cocoons is usually light yellow, and when the eggs mature, they turn brown. The number of eggs laid by an earthworm in a cocoon ranges from 2 to 20; they develop in about 20 days.

Young worms are thin, like threads, their length is only 4-6 millimeters, but they grow quickly and feed on their own. Earthworms are able to lay cocoons from spring until early summer, then in autumn until November, until the soil freezes. Over the summer, fertile worms can lay 18-24 cocoons, each containing up to 24 eggs. After 7-12 weeks, young people are able to reproduce and produce equally fertile offspring. Mature earthworms weigh about 1 gram, and as they mature, they reach a weight of 10 grams.

Head-tailed or tail-headed?

If you don’t know the body structure of an earthworm, you can very easily make a mistake when determining where its head is and where its tail is. Its elongated shape without any external organs allows the worm to calmly move through the earth in search of food.

Earthworms are a type of annelid worms, the very name of which indicates the characteristic structure of their body. They seem to be assembled from small rings strung on an elastic band. The segments formed by the constrictions have small bristles on the sides, with the help of which the worm moves.

Unlike many others, the earthworm does not have many such setae, for which its subclass received the name oligochaete. In each individual, closer to the head part, the body is surrounded by a thickening, which gave the name to the class - girdle . Its presence indicates the worm's ability to reproduce. This belt is part of the reproductive system of these animals.

How does fertilization occur?

Answering the question: “How do earthworms reproduce?”, it is necessary to identify the main stages of their fertilization.

When individuals come together, a so-called mucous muff is formed, into which spermatozoa contained in the seminal fluid are subsequently released. This formation occurs due to the functional activity of the girdles of each individual. Then there is an exchange of seminal fluid between individuals, which enters the seminal receptacles of each individual. Next, the individual separates, and the muff lifts to the anterior ends of their bodies, where the eggs are released from the egg funnels. Subsequently, the seminal fluid is released into the seed muff, and fertilization of the earthworm occurs.

That's what love is like

The worms exchange seminal fluid when they meet. It has the ability to persist for some time in the mucus covering the body of the worm. This mucus is secreted by special cells located on the girdle. When sperm mature, the same girdle secretes mucus, which forms a special cocoon. The worm moves the cocoon over its head, thereby adding eggs from the genital segments. When sperm and eggs come into contact, fertilization occurs.

In the cocoon preserved in the ground, the development of future worms occurs. After a certain time, tiny but fully formed worms emerge from it.

This is not surprising, but this is not the only way worms reproduce. Thanks to the incredible ability to regenerate, individual parts of the worm are easily restored to the whole. That is, if you cut the worm, there will already be two of them. The only drawback of this method is that, for some unknown reason, all the restored worms become females.

But this is not the limit. Worms are also capable of reproducing asexually; again, only females will be present in such a population.

After much scientific research and zoological work, it was possible to determine an interesting fact: the ordinary earthworm plays a very important role in the decomposition of organic substances that fall into the soil, enriching it with humus and other important plant nutrition elements rising from the deep layers of the root system.

It is these animals that occupy a leading place along with the most important soil helpers.

, and a worthy alternative for the earthworm has not yet been found. If there are colonies of these eukaryotes in the soil, fertility indicators will be maximum, since they directly depend on the volume of organic substances that enter the soil.

It is very difficult to overestimate the role of the earthworm for the ecosystem. Such a tiny creature enriches the soil with all useful elements, making it fertile and healthy. Few people know about this, but the life and existence of the human race is strongly connected with the activities of these animals. Their disappearance would have fatal consequences, including mass deaths due to starvation.

Earthworm: main characteristics

An earthworm or earthworm is a segmented worm with a tubular shape. The animal is found on all continents of the globe, in places with an abundant supply of moisture and organic matter. Life expectancy reaches 4-8 years and is determined by the type of specific inhabitants. Some of them can live up to ten years. An interesting structural feature is the digestive system, which runs along the entire length of the body. In this case, food is digested by moving a set of muscles.

A small earthworm has a central and peripheral nervous system

. He can also breathe through his skin. This creature's body is filled with slimy fluid and acts as a hydrostatic skeleton. Any cartilage and connective tissue are absent. The presence of circular and longitudinal muscles allows the animal to move normally from one place to another.

It is important to note that due to the unique body structure of the earthworm, it is often called the most mysterious creature on the planet. He lacks eyes, ears and even lungs. But the animal has several hearts. At the same time, the mucous liquid has an unpleasant taste, so predators do not consume it as food.

Varieties of earthworm

The group of earthworms consists of many subspecies and families

. Currently, more than two thousand species can be identified that are found in all regions of our globe. 40 of them live on the European continent. The most popular are two main types: the common earthworm and the dung worm. Let's look at the detailed characteristics of both varieties.

Earthworms may vary

and biological properties, such as type of nutrition and habitat in the soil. For this reason, scientists distinguish two main varieties:

1. worms that live on the surface of the soil;
2. worms that dig deep holes and make homes inside the soil.

Life cycle of earthworms

If we highlight the main features of the life cycle of an earthworm, they will be divided into four stages:

As mentioned above, the role of worms in nature is colossal. For this reason, these animals are now being bred and popularized to improve the fertility of vegetable gardens. The abundance of such invertebrates in the soil leads to the successful cultivation of various plant crops. also important for gardeners

, which is why they are often called “the first agricultural technicians.” And this is explained by a simple fact: the more worms in the soil, the better the garden trees will develop.

But what is the impact of such creatures on the ground? First of all, they solve a lot of problems of loosening the soil, improving its structure and increasing fertility. As a result, the gardener is relieved of a lot of additional worries.

In addition, as animals move through the garden, they dig deep tunnels that ensure a stable flow of air through the seeds and roots of plants. This behavior allows us to call worms invisible tiny plowmen. It is also important to note that invertebrates protect vegetation from numerous diseases and pests. They produce stable humus by eating organic matter, including rotten leaves, dirt and grass clippings.

During the digestion of food

the worm excretes a large amount of organic excrement, which contains elements such as:

• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• nitrogen;
• magnesium.

Therefore, if you come across a colony of earthworms in your garden or vegetable garden, the question “is this inhabitant useful for the local ecosystem” should automatically disappear.

Interesting fact

: The famous scientist Charles Darwin, who proposed the theory of natural selection, paid great attention to the study of the life cycle of earthworms. Over the course of 40 years of his life, he conducted various experiments and studies with these spineless creatures, as a result of which a book was born entitled “The formation of the vegetable layer of the earth by the activity of earthworms and observations on their way of life.”

How to increase the earthworm content in the garden. Home breeding

There are many ways to improve soil fertility in a vegetable garden or garden by promoting invertebrates. Experienced gardeners use various organic substances for this purpose. Periodic mulching of the soil also helps. Humus, fallen leaves, manure, compost and other similar materials are placed on the surface layer of soil.

In addition, many gardeners breed worms at home. It is important to note that such an activity does not require any special effort or investment. It is enough to provide optimal access to food, proper humidity, darkness and free space. Successful organization of a worm house can be carried out in the spring or early summer, since during this period the temperature range remains optimal. The worms will have time to multiply and become strong before the onset of winter. So, now directly about breeding worms in the garden.

The worm house is a special structure in which representatives of the spineless will live and develop. You can use absolutely any container as it - boxes, troughs, an old bathtub, etc. For successful cultivation, it is recommended to carry out the procedure on open compost. But it is important to protect the selected area with a special net to prevent massive consumption of worms by birds and other animals.

In order for the care and maintenance of these little plowmen to be as effective as possible, you need to put compost on the bottom of the future house (the optimal layer is 40 centimeters thick) and thoroughly treat it with warm liquid. After this, you need to arrange a straw bedding and wait 5-6 days for complete absorption. That's all, the home can be considered ready to move in.

Finding earthworms for your upcoming stocking is easy. To do this, it is enough to dig up a small layer of soil in your own garden or garden. Individuals that appear on the top layer of soil after heavy rain take root particularly well. You can also buy worms at the appropriate store.

The settlement process can be divided into several stages. First you need to dig a small hole in the center of your home and throw a bucket of worms there. After this, they can be covered on top with straw or burlap. The first results of successful settlement will be noticeable within seven days. You need to periodically monitor the creatures and their behavior in their new habitat. If animals lead an active lifestyle, it means they have settled in well and everything is fine with them.

In order for the little ones to quickly adapt to new conditions, start feeding them only 3-4 weeks after moving in. But warm water needs to be added to the worm trap at least 2 times a week.

Earthworm Care

When asking the question “how long do earthworms live,” it is important to pay attention to the correct care and the conditions created. In order for animals to develop normally and fulfill their reproductive duties, they need to be provided with relative coolness, shade and a balanced food supply. Experienced experts advise adding a small amount of sand or crushed eggshells to compost manure. Once every 14 days it is necessary to add food to the ground. But under no circumstances should you overfeed animals.

If you are going to breed worms at home, you should know that these creatures are capable of processing almost any organic product. The main thing is that they are crushed, since animals do not have teeth.

It should be noted that before replenishing the worm cage with fresh food, you must make sure that the previous supply is completely eaten. Otherwise, the spineless ones will become oversaturated and soon die. If organic compounds remain in the compost, acidity levels can skyrocket, creating lethal conditions in the soil. Also, excess feed leads to the proliferation of dangerous pests, including mites.

Unique properties and benefits for the garden

Earthworms provide enormous benefits to soil layers, enriching the soil with humus and other organic substances. Today, artificial breeding of these eukaryotes is even popularized to increase the fertility of vegetable gardens. Large populations of worms in the soil contribute to the productive cultivation of a wide variety of crops. In addition, animals are also useful for the gardening industry, since they have a positive effect on the development of fruit trees.

What are the benefits of worms for the soil? They are a natural soil loosener and improve its structure, which also increases the level of fertility. The activity of invertebrates deprives the gardener of a lot of additional work on processing the substrate.

As worms move around the garden, they dig deep and long holes, which promotes stable air exchange through the seeds and root systems of trees. Due to such work, tiny creatures are often called invisible plowmen. In addition, they perform excellent prevention of numerous diseases and provide protection against pests by eating rotted organic components, such as rotten leaves, grass clippings and dirt.

Through a well-developed digestive system, worms secrete a lot of organic matter, which consists of the following substances:

1. Phosphorus.
2. Nitrogen.
3. Magnesium.
4. Calcium.

Therefore, when identifying a colony of worms in your garden plot, you do not need to look for ways to combat them, but on the contrary, you should promote their further breeding.

You should pay attention to an interesting fact: The famous researcher Charles Darwin, who proposed the theory of natural selection, devoted a large amount of time to studying the life of worms. For about 40 years he conducted experiments and experiments, and then published a book called “The formation of the vegetable layer of the earth by the activity of earthworms and observations on their way of life.”

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.

Population increase

Currently, gardeners and people who practice organic farming practice many ways to improve soil fertility.
One of them is the reproduction of invertebrates. When performing this task, it is customary to add various organic matter to the soil, as well as mulch. The surface layers are treated with humus, fallen leaves, manure, compost and other similar substances. Some gardeners try to breed animals themselves. This action is not considered too difficult, so even beginners can do it. The main thing is to ensure optimal access to food , adequate humidity, protection from sunlight and plenty of free space. Successful breeding of a worm farm is possible in early spring or early summer, when the air temperature reaches optimal levels. During this period, the worms have time to mate and get stronger before the coming winter.

Life cycle

The life of worms can be divided into four main stages . Among them:

1. First stage. It consists of the emergence of tiny creatures from a small cocoon. The incubation period for the invertebrate eggs takes 2-8 weeks, after which the small creatures make their way to the surface. Their development can be very rapid, provided that the air temperature is consistently high. If the weather is warm and heavy with rainfall, then the eggs will fully mature in 14 days. However, in cold regions a similar process will last up to two months.
2. Second phase. Involves the maturation of mature worms. From the first weeks of their existence, invertebrates actively develop, experiencing a number of changes in the reproductive system. At the age of one year, the worm can reproduce.
3. Third stage. Describes the beginning of the fulfillment of a reproductive need. As is known, earthworms are hermaphrodites, having both female and male sexual characteristics. However, their mating occurs in a cooperative manner, when two individuals copulate and create a special shell. Sperm then accumulates in this membrane. Fertilization occurs in both bodies.
4. At the fourth stage, animals carry out natural cocoon laying. After performing reproductive duties, the individuals separate, and a cocoon appears in each body, which soon rolls into the ground and matures. A standard cocoon contains from 1 to 5 embryos.