The earthworm family consists of almost 170 species and belongs to the phylum annelids– Annelides. All earthworms are similar in their lifestyle. They live in damp places, swarming tunnels underground, and in cold and drought they go deep into the ground. After heavy rains due to lack of air, earthworms are forced to rise to the surface. They feed on decaying plant debris and soil microorganisms. There are especially many earthworms in the soil of gardens, vegetable gardens and other soils, where their number can reach 400 pieces per 1 m of soil. Size from 8 to 30cm. Earthworms are hermaphrodites. They reproduce sexually using cross fertilization(mutually fertilizing each other). The eggs are laid in a mucous cocoon, from which up to 10 embryos emerge.
Ground or common earthworm (crawl) - Lumbricus terrestris. 9-30 cm in length. It has a pink color and a dark pointed head end. The color fades towards the slightly flattened tail. Belt from the 31st-32nd to the 37th segment. Widely distributed. It is especially common in clay soils. On humid nights it comes to the surface for plant remains. In aquarium farming, this type of worm is most often used as food.
Tetrahedral earthworm - Eiseniella tetraedra. 3-5 cm in length. The middle and posterior parts of the body are noticeably tetrahedral. The belt occupies from the 22-25th to the 26-27th segment. Found only in very wet habitats, e.g. damp earth, in damp moss, near bodies of water. It reproduces parthenogenetically (virgin reproduction without the participation of males).
Yellowish-green earthworm -Allophora chlorotica. 5-7 cm in length. Belt from the 28-29th to the 37th segment. The color is different - yellowish, greenish or reddish. Lives in both slightly damp and very damp soil (in gardens, river bank cliffs), and in rotting foliage.
Reddish earthworm - Lumbricus rubellus. 7-15 cm in length. The dorsal side is reddish-brown and purple with a pearlescent tint. Belt from the 26-27th to the 32nd segment. A typical inhabitant of more or less moist humus soil (usually at shallow depths).
Earthworms (Lumbricidae)- are good food for large aquarium fish such as cichlids, koi, tetragonopterus, rhea and goldfish different breeds. They can be used in feeding aquarium fish, both whole and in crushed form. But constant feeding of them leads to fish obesity and infertility. Therefore it is advisable to use earthworm for feeding 1-2 times a week, alternating the diet with other types of feed.

After a long time scientific research and zoological work it was possible to determine interesting fact: an 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.

These are the animals occupy a leading position 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 life and existence human race strongly related to the activities of these animals. Their disappearance would have fatal consequences, including mass death people due to hunger.

Earthworm: main characteristics

An earthworm or earthworm is a segmented worm with a tubular shape. The animal is found on all continents 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. Interesting feature structure is digestive system, which runs along the entire length of the body. In this case, food is digested by moving a set of muscles.

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. In this case, the mucous fluid has bad taste, so predators do not consume it as food.

Varieties of earthworm

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 consider detailed characteristics 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 life cycle 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 worms are 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 worm secretes a large number 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: Famous scientist Charles Darwin, who proposed the theory 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 this activity does not require any special effort or investments. It is enough to provide optimal access to food, proper humidity, darkness and free space. Successful organization of a worm hutch can be carried out in the spring or early summer, because during this period 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 appeared on the top layer of soil after heavy rain. 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 here warm water need 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 they remain in the compost organic compounds, acidity levels can rapidly increase, causing deadly conditions to be created in the soil. Also, excess feed leads to reproduction dangerous pests, including ticks.

It has long been proven that earthworms and soil microflora belong the main role in the decomposition of organic substances that have entered the soil, in enriching it with humus and all other plant nutrition elements raised from the deep layers of the earth by the root system. These animals are the main soil improvers, and their function cannot be fully compensated by anyone or anything. The presence of worms in the soil is an indicator of its fertility and health. Naturally, this indicator is directly related to the amount of organic matter entering the soil.

Description

Earthworms or earthworms (lat. Lumbricina) - a suborder of oligochaete worms from order Haplotaxida. They live on all continents except Antarctica, but only a few species initially had a wide range: the spread of a number of representatives occurred due to human introduction. The most famous European earthworms belong to the family Lumbricidae.

Body length of representatives different types varies from 2 cm (genus Dichogaster) to 3 m (Megascolides australis). The number of segments is also variable: from 80 to 300. When moving, earthworms rely on short bristles located on each segment except the anterior one. The number of bristles varies from 8 to several dozen (in some tropical species).

The circulatory system of worms is closed, quite well developed, and the blood is red. Breathing is carried out through the skin, rich in sensitive cells, which is covered with protective mucus. Nervous system earthworms consist of a poorly developed brain (two nerve ganglia) and an abdominal chain. They have a developed ability to regenerate.

Earthworms are hermaphrodites; each mature individual has a female and male reproductive system (synchronous hermaphroditism). They reproduce sexually using cross-fertilization. Reproduction occurs through cocoons, inside which the eggs are fertilized and develop. The cocoon occupies several anterior segments of the worm, standing out relative to the rest of the body. Small worms emerge from the cocoon after 2-4 weeks, and after 3-4 months they grow to the size of adults.

The food consumed by earthworms is first ground up in their throats and then passed into the intestines. Happening here digestive process with the help of enzymes. Some of the food is aimed at providing the worms with energy and promoting their growth. The rest of the food is excreted in the form of granules. The soluble nutrients in these pellets are more beneficial than the food the worms consume in the first place. These secretions are rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

In winter, earthworms hibernate. Due to the fact that frost instantly kills earthworms, they prefer to burrow deeper into the ground, where frost does not penetrate. In the spring, when the temperature reaches a suitable level and the ground is saturated with rainwater, earthworms become very active. At this time, mating season begins for them.

They reproduce very quickly, producing about a hundred young worms per year. In summer, worms are not as active. There is very little food at this time, and the soil is deprived of moisture, which can cause the death of the worms. The autumn period is again characterized by worm activity. At this time, reproduction of offspring begins again, which lasts until the onset of winter.

Earthworms live relatively long. Some manage to live for about ten years if they do not become victims of birds and moles. Another threat to their life is the pesticides that are so widely used in gardening today. Some worms die due to extreme heat or frost. Worms can also die when the soil becomes dry or when there is not enough food. All these conditions shorten the lifespan of earthworms, which are the best helpers for gardeners.

Benefit

When we see a blooming garden, we understand that to some extent it is thanks to earthworms that enrich the soil with nutrients. These creatures process organic matter in the soil, turning it into nutrients that are easily absorbed by plants.

When earthworms dig, they plow the soil at the same time, which allows roots to grow, allowing for healthy plant growth. Tilled soil absorbs water and holds it inside. In addition, air circulates better in such soil. The movements of earthworms bring nutrients found deep in the soil to the surface. Nutrients enter the upper layers of the soil, from where it is easier for plants to absorb them.

In addition to the benefits that earthworms bring to plants, they also serve as food for birds. In early spring birds fly to gardens precisely in search of worms, because at this time of year there are still no fruits or seeds that could serve as food for them. If an earthworm is placed in a container that does not allow light to penetrate, it will live in it for about two weeks, provided that peat moss is first placed in the container.

There are millions of earthworms. They are divided depending on their properties and location. They can be divided into: earthworms, red worms, field worms, nightworms and red hybrids. In one garden you can find several varieties of worms.

Earthworms come in a variety of colors and sizes. Their color is characterized by shades of gray, black, red or red-brown. Their length, as a rule, is 5 - 31 cm. And in some cases you can find worms of incredible length of about 370 cm, such as individuals living in Australia. Moist soil rich in nutrient-rich organic matter is ideal for worms.

Earthworms feed on insects, rotting animal carcasses, manure, lettuce and watermelon rinds. In most cases, earthworms avoid alkaline and acidic substances. However, their food preferences depend on their species. Nightworms, as their name suggests, scavenge for food from the surface after dark.

the remains of herbs and organic matter make up the diet of the worms. Having discovered food, they begin to dig in the ground, holding the food they find in their mouths. Worms really like to combine food with soil. Many earthworms, such as red worms, crawl to the surface of the soil in search of food.

Gardeners can help earthworms thrive by adding organic matter to the soil. When the organic content of the soil decreases, earthworms go in search of other soil with more favorable conditions, otherwise they will simply die. Proteins from the remains of worms are converted into nitrogen and feed plants. However, this benefit is very short-lived. The death of earthworms implies a deterioration in the condition of the garden, so important role they play a role in nourishing the soil.

Production of vermicompost using worms

Anyone who does not want to spend money on buying and breeding imported worms can produce vermicompost with ordinary earthworms. They are not as productive as California ones, but for a personal plot their fertilizer will be quite enough. In addition, domestic earthworms are accustomed to our cold weather.

1. Make a box without a bottom, 1 x 1 m in size, 60–70 cm high. Place the box on a pallet made of boards or slate. Place a layer (40–50 cm) of fermented manure or compost (only without chemicals!) with crushed food waste and plant debris in the box, level it and moisten it well. Cover with burlap or straw and leave for a week.
2. Look for a cluster of earthworms (in damp places, under stones), put them in a bucket along with the soil in which they live. In the compost that is in the box, dig several holes and tip the soil with worms into them, level it and cover it with burlap or straw.
3. Water the compost periodically with water at room temperature to keep it slightly damp at all times. After a month and then every 2-3 weeks, add a layer of vegetable and food waste(15–20 cm).
4. The upper, 20-centimeter layer is the habitat of worms, and everything under it is vermicompost processed by them. in autumn upper layer remove and place at the bottom of a new box, cover it for the winter with a half-meter layer of compost, protect it from rodents by covering it with spruce branches, and sprinkle it with snow in winter. And the bottom layer - vermicompost - is used to fertilize the soil, in the spring - for growing seedlings, producing an infusion for spraying plants, etc.
5. In the spring, remove the spruce branches and start feeding the worms again.

Breeding worms in an “incubator” is quite tedious. The question arises: wouldn’t it be easier to tip the bucket of worms directly onto the garden bed? It turns out not. Firstly, worms are prone to migration and, if their freedom is not limited, they will crawl away. You can’t explain to them that they should live here. Secondly, plants need and mineral fertilizers. But earthworms don't like them. Where "chemistry" is used, the number of worms is sharply reduced. And finally, what will garden beds filled with food waste look like?

Those who are not eager to breed worms can buy ready-made vermicompost. A three-liter bag with a normal fertile layer will be enough for a quarter of a hundred square meters. If the land on the site is depleted, the amount will have to be doubled or tripled.

In the world of fauna is the earthworm. He can rightfully be called an earth worker, since it is thanks to him that the soil on which we walk is completely saturated with oxygen and other minerals. By passing various sections of the ground lengthwise and crosswise, this worm makes them loose, which then allows them to be planted there. cultivated plants and also do gardening.

General characteristics of the species

The earthworm belongs to the kingdom Animalia, to the subkingdom Multicellular. Its type is characterized as Ringed, and its class is Oligochaete. The organization of annelids is very high compared to other types. They have a secondary body cavity, which has its own own systems digestion, circulatory and nervous. They are separated by a dense layer of mesoderm cells, which serve as a kind of airbag for the animal. Also, thanks to them, each individual segment of the worm’s body can exist autonomously and progress in development. The habitats of these earthly orderlies are wet soil, salty or fresh water.

External structure of an earthworm

The worm's body is round in shape. The length of representatives of this species can be up to 30 centimeters, which can include from 100 to 180 segments. The front part of the worm's body has a small thickening in which the so-called genital organs are concentrated. Local cells are activated during the breeding season and perform the function of laying eggs. The lateral outer parts of the worm's body are equipped with short bristles, completely invisible to the human eye. They allow the animal to move in space and move through the ground. It is also worth noting that the earthworm’s tummy is always painted in a lighter tone than its back, which has a dark burgundy, almost brown color.

What is he like from the inside?

The structure of the earthworm differs from all other relatives by the presence of real tissues that form its body. The outer part is covered with ectoderm, which is rich in mucous cells containing iron. This layer is followed by muscles, which are divided into two categories: circular and longitudinal. The former are located closer to the surface of the body and are more mobile. The latter are used as auxiliary during movement, and also allow you to work more fully. internal organs. The muscles of each individual segment of the worm's body can function autonomously. When moving, the earthworm alternately compresses each ring group of muscles, as a result of which its body either stretches or becomes shorter. This allows him to dig new tunnels and fully loosen the ground.

Digestive system

The structure of a worm is extremely simple and understandable. It originates from the mouth opening. Through it, food enters the pharynx and then passes through the esophagus. In this segment, products are purified from acids released by rotting products. The food then passes through the crop and into the stomach, which contains many small muscles. Here the products are literally ground up and then enter the intestines. The worm has one midgut, which goes into the posterior opening. Everything in her cavity useful material from food are absorbed into the walls, after which waste leaves the body through the anus. It is important to know that earthworm excrement is rich in potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. They perfectly nourish the earth and saturate it with minerals.

Circulatory system

The circulatory system possessed by an earthworm can be divided into three segments: the abdominal vessel, the dorsal vessel and the annular vessel, which combines the previous two. The blood flow in the body is closed, or circular. The annular vessel, which is shaped like a spiral, unites two vital arteries for the worm in each segment. Capillaries also branch from it, which come close to the outer surface of the body. The walls of the entire annular vessel and its capillaries pulsate and contract, due to which blood is driven from the abdominal artery to the spinal artery. It is noteworthy that earthworms like humans they have red blood. This is due to the presence of hemoglobin, which is regularly distributed throughout the body.

Breathing and the nervous system

The earthworm's breathing process occurs through the skin. Each cell of the outer surface is very sensitive to moisture, which is absorbed and processed. It is for this reason that worms do not live in dry sandy areas, but live where the soil is always filled with water or in the reservoirs themselves. The nervous system of this animal is much more interesting. The main “lump”, in which all neurons are concentrated in huge numbers, is located in the anterior segment of the body, but its analogues, smaller in size, are present in each of them. Therefore, each segment of the worm’s body can exist autonomously.

Reproduction

Let us immediately note that all earthworms are hermaphrodites, and in each organism the testes are located in front of the ovaries. These seals are located in the front part of the body, and during the mating period (and it is cross-breeding), the testes of one of the worms pass into the ovaries of the other. During the mating period, the worm secretes mucus, which is necessary for the formation of a cocoon, as well as a protein substance that will feed the embryo. As a result of these processes, a mucous membrane is formed in which embryos develop. Afterwards they leave it, back end first, and crawl into the ground to continue their lineage.