Eisenia fetida (Savigny) (Lumbricidae)
Manure Worm, Compost Worm
- Body cylindrical, 35-130 x 3-5 mm
- Color purple, red, dark red, brownish red. There are unicolored forms and
forms that have alternating bands of red-brown on dorsum with pigmentless yellow
intersegmental areas.
- Epigeic habit; detritivorous; very little soil consumed
- Principal earthworm for composting kitchen wastes, animal manures, etc.
- Live a maximum of 4-5 years, 1-2 more frequent
- Reproduce sexually, up to about 900 eggs per year per worm
- Little tendency to burrow into mineral soil