Tropical marine worms are a diverse group of organisms encompassing several different taxonomic groups. Depending on your fancy, you may be interested in purchasing flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes), roundworms (Nematoda), segmented or “fan” worms (Annelida), arrow worms (Chaetognatha), or another of the great variety of worm species that live in aquatic habitats. Unlike the previously mentioned giant tube worms, members of all of these worm phyla tend to be quite small (although exceptions exist), and most of them thrive in tropical marine habitats.

For the most frugally-minded consumers, it’s quite likely that just by owning and maintaining an aquarium you will acquire a healthy population of planaria worms—tiny, white flatworms that naturally populate many marine environments. Don’t worry, they won’t harm the fish, but they sometimes show up when your aquarium has too much gravel containing too much uneaten fish food.

If planaria aren’t your style, however, it’s time to select the size and shape of worm that suits your preferences. Once you’ve picked the tropical aquatic worms you’d like to purchase, a logical first step would be to visit your local fish and aquarium supply store and see if anything from their selection of worms matches what you had in mind. If you are still unsure of which type of tropical aquatic worms you would like, the people who work there may be able to help you make your decision by showing you examples of different tropical aquatic worm species. Should no local store have what you’re looking for, it is not unheard of for online vendors of fish and other aquarium supplies to dabble in aquatic worms (yes, it is possible to ship live sea creatures and have them arrive alive!).

In short, if you would like to buy small, tropical aquatic worms, you will likely find a decent selection of them at aquarium supply stores or wherever live fish and other sea creatures are sold.

Although clamworms do not live in the earth’s soil like earthworms, they are similar in several ways. For starters, clamworms burrow just like earthworms. The wavelike motions of their bodies create currents that help draw water and air through the burrows. This brings in fresh supplies of oxygen and it also caries away nitrogenous wastes and carbon dioxide.

Clamworms are not tiny creatures. They can grow up to 36 inches long and one and three-fourths wide. Clamworms have roughly 200 segments and they have a thick head with four pairs of tentacles. They have a mouth, a lip, two pairs of eyes, and strong jaws. Clamworm colors include greenish-brown, brown, green, or blue. The body migth contain a number of other colors such as flecks of gold, white, or red.

Clamworms and earthworms have another similarity. They both have powerful mouths. Although the clamworm mouth is more pronounced, the earthworm can do quite a bit of damage with its mouth, which is located just below the “prostomium.” Let us start with the clamworm. The clamworm proboscis contains hook-like jaws. When the clamworm is ready to eat, it extends the proboscis and grasps its prey. Once the clamworm sinks into the prey, it retracts the proboscis and pulls the prey into its mouth.

The earthworm’s mouth is not very pronounced, but it is big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. The earthworm also has a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine. When the worm eats its food, it pulls the materials into its mouth with the help of the pharynx and its prostomium (also called acron). This creates a suction motion. This suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a sort amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food.

Earthworms and clamworms have a number of defense mechanisms when they feel threatened. Earthworms may curl up into a ball or secrete a foul tasting substance, while clamworms will actually bite. Yes, the clamworms mouth and jaws are strong enough to break human skin. Earthworms do not have this ability.
To view clamworm images, click here or visit The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at www.csc.noaa.gov.

The giant feather duster worm, (Eudistylia polymorpha), is around 25.4 centimeters long and 1.3 centimeters wide. Ok, so it’s not so big, but it can sure look that way if you ever meet one eye to, ahem, eyes. This worm earned the name “giant feather duster worm” because it looks like a feather duster and it is also orange, maroon, and brown in color. The tube is tan and it is made of filtered particles and protein. It is not uncommon for the worm to tube to be covered in sand and shell bits.

The plume is about 6.4 centimeters wide and it has anywhere from 25-30 gills that are red in color and look like feathers. You can find the giant feather duster worm along the Pacific Coast all the way from Alaska to San Diego, California. These delightful creatures are commonly spotted in Pacific Grove, Ca. The worm prefers shallow water, so if you’re searching for one, all you have to do is look around man-made structures such as pilings, floats, and wharfs.

So what do these animals eat? The feather duster worm finds food particles and plankton to satisfy hunger pangs. By creating the current mentioned earlier, the worm moves its grub closer to its tentacles which are covered in a sticky substance that traps the food. The feather duster worm repeats this process quite often as it has a very (very) strong appetite.

According to MarineBio.com, “The giant feather duster worm’s means of fertilization, of course, are external. Oocytes may range from 140 to over 200 µm in diameter, depending on whether the species broods eggs or spawns freely. (In the latter case, the eggs are deposited in gelatinous masses either on the parent’s tube or on the seafloor.) In females, sperm receptacles may exist at the base of the crown tentacles. Gametes first accumulate in the abdomen and mature, enter the gonoducts (analogous to the human oviducts), then go on to the longitudinal (sometimes referred to as the fecal) groove. They are then directed upwards, out of the mouth, onto a series of ciliated palps, and into the sea. Once the zygotes are released, they float freely for three to four weeks before settling down.”

If you would like to see pictures of the giant feather duster worm, check out Google images and just type in “giant feather duster worm.” You will certainly get an eyefull!

The scientific name for the Beach worm is Australonuphis teres. They are also known as “Bungum Worms”. Known for their length, these worms can grow up to 8 feet long. Their width varies but they can be as wide as a human finger. Although their appearance and size are often a bit unsettling when they are sighted by beachgoers, the beach worm is quite harmless. The worm spends most of its lifecycle in pursuit of food.

The worms spend a good deal of time under the sand. They are blind but it doesn’t really matter as they do not need sight to make their way around underground. They do have an excellent sense of smell which helps them find food and navigate through their environment.

Beach worms are excellent fishing bait. No one really knows why but they are effective in getting the attention of local fish. Known for their ability to get bream, whiting, tailor and other popular fish to hook, the beach worm is a popular source of local income. In fact, they are so effective in getting the job done that they are rather expensive. A single worm can cost a $4.00.

Beach worms live in varying beach conditions; however, there are ideal conditions to look for when looking to catch the worms. Soft sand makes it easier to catch beach worms and there are likely to be more of them present than hard sand or sand full of shells. This is because the worms spend their lives under the sand and must move through it to find food. Soft sand makes this process easier.

Other ideal conditions for the beaches where it will be easiest to find these worms include flat beaches and those that are not heavily populated by human visitors. Once a beach is found that meets these criteria, the worms will be easiest to locate in overcast weather conditions with little to no wind present. Worm hunters will need to learn how to entice the worms to the surface and then catch them. This process can be tricky at first but the challenge of finding and catching beach worms can be mastered with practice.

To learn more about catching beach worms, the following videos might be useful – and entertaining too!

www.beachworms.com
YouTube Beachworm Catch

They are anywhere from 2 to 20 millimeters long and they live virtually everywhere. Beetles are essential to the lifecycle of the planet and its inhabitants. In fact, there are more beetles alive at any given moment than any other animal. Beetles make up 20 percent of all living species. Beetle larvae can be found in moist areas, compost piles, streams, slow moving waters, rivers, dams and lakes where they can find food easily.

Beetle larvae eat plant and animal matter. Beetle larvae as well as adult beetles rely on oxygen to survive, but many can survive under water because they have gills similar to fish. These gills allow them to live their entire lifecycle under water and often give them the appearance of looking silvery in color.

Beetles of North America belong to the Order Coleoptera, the largest order within the animal kingdom. This means that they have more species within the order than any other order that has been identified and classified by scientists. The Order Coleoptera is made up of one-third of all insects that are known to man.

The lifecycle of every beetle consists of four stages: eggs, larvae, pupa and adult. The larvae stage is the second stage of development and the only stage where beetles resemble worms. The larvae stage can last anywhere from one cycle to 30 cycles of growing and shedding the exoskeleton. The length of time it takes for larvae to complete this stage of development, as well as the number of times the exoskeleton is shed, depends on the type of beetle.

The pupa stage is when the beetle inhabits a cocoon-like house where they develop into adult beetles. This stage can take up to nine months, often occurring over the winter. Adult beetles have varying life spans. They are unique in color and appearance depending on what type of beetle it is and they have wings that allow them to fly.

Common beetle larvae include: Red Milkweed Beetle, Tiger Beetle, Japanese Beetle, Lady Beetles (aka Ladybugs), Soldier Beetle, Dogbane Leaf Beetle, Black Blister Beetle, Weevil, Leaf Beetle, Longhorned Beetle, Firefly / Lightening Bug and Corn Rootworm Beetle.

In addition to mugo and tabletop pines, the European sawfly attacks
Scotch, red, Jack, and Japanese pines. If you are nervous about protecting your Austrian, Ponderosa, shortleaf, white or pitch pines, don’t worry. The sawfly rarely attacks these types of trees.

Unfortunately for the sawflies preferred host, the damage is can lead to defoliation or “bottle brush” appearance. What this means is, the old pine needles have all but disappeared, but the current years needles are still alive and well. Fortunately, even heavily infested trees will survive the attack. TreeHelp.com offers the following information about the feeding habits of the sawfly larvae. “The first instar larvae (the ones hatching from the egg) can only eat the needle surface which causes the needles to turn brown and wilt, appearing straw-like. As the larvae grow, they remain together and feed from the tip of a needle to the base. The larvae feed on older foliage and move from branch to branch as they strip the needles. Larvae will often migrate to new trees if the needles on their current host have been devoured.”

How to Control the European Sawfly Without Damaging Your Trees

There are a number of different methods to control the Europe sawfly and its larvae including natural controls, mechanical controls, and insecticides. It is important to note that with any method of control, it’s always a good idea to catch the larvae while they are very small. Perform inspections in late winter, April and May.

Method 1: Natural Controls – Several parasites have been introduced to control this pest and native birds feed on the larvae. Rodents often eat the pupae in the soil. These agents are usually not adequate in urban settings.

Method 2: Mechanical Control, Egg Removal – If the needles containing overwintered eggs can be found before they hatch, they can be pulled off the plants and destroyed. Do not simply through on the ground since the eggs can still hatch.

Method 3: Mechanical Control – Colonies of larvae can be easily removed by clipping off the infested branch. Place these branches in a plastic bag and destroy. Colonies can also be knocked off by sharply striking the infested branch. Crush the larvae or knock into a pail of soapy water. If few colonies are present, they can be controlled using these methods but general spraying better controls large infestations.

Method 4: Biorational Insecticide Sprays – Several horticultural oils (often called “summer” or “verdant” oils) and insecticidal soaps are labeled for control of sawflies on ornamentals. These usually work well when the sawfly larvae are small and thorough coverage of the colony can be achieved.

Method 5: Spot Sprays of Insecticides – Many aerosol or hose end sprayable insecticides are available for spraying of colonies. This is usually adequate for most home landscapes. Nurserymen and Christmas tree growers often carry a small hand pump sprayer with an insecticide mixed for spot treating colonies. See Bulletin 504 for a listing of currently registered insecticides.

Method 6: General Insecticide Spraying This sawfly rarely infests large acreages unless controls have not been used for several seasons. General sprays may be warranted if more than 25% of the trees are infested. See Bulletin 504 for a list of currently registered insecticides. –By TreeHelp.com

In North America, especially in Western states, the existence of Tubifex worms has caused many young fish to die in streams around the country, significantly affecting the population of the local rivers. The trout population is especially susceptible to WD. Tubifex worms act as the host of whirling disease. They then pass the disease on to resident fish.

There are several common characteristics of the Tubifex worm that has been observed in North America including the worm’s preference to live in waters that are cold throughout the year. The worms do not usually survive in aquatic habitats that warm in the summer. The worms also thrive in waters where man has made changes to the natural environment and in waters that do not have a lot of other life forms.

It does not take a lot of worms concentrated to do a lot of damage to local fish population. Even very low counts of the worm can cause a significant outbreak of whirling disease, reducing or even killing off the local fish. WD is a parasite that most fish simply do not have the ability to recover from once they are infected. This is especially true for young fish.

Rocky Mountain rivers and streams, warm trout waters, and lake outflows are not particularly susceptible to an outbreak of Tubifex worms and whirling disease. The high population of the Rocky Mountain region interferes with the worm’s ability to thrive as does the warm trout waters where the worm generally dies off before having the ability to cause any real damage.

Among the high risk areas for a WD outbreak are Montana’s spring creaks; tailwater streams and rivers in the Rocky Mountains; and rivers, streams and canals that are impacted by urban growth, agriculture or forestry practices are great breeding grounds for the Tubifex worms. These water systems provide the Tubifex worm with several breeding advantages including biological materials to feed on, large disease populations, and sediment and manure loading are commonly seen where there is a large Tubifex worm population.

About Earthworms

There are literally thousands of different worm species and more than 2,700 species of earthworms alone on earth. Because there are so many different species of earthworms, identifying earthworms can be a challenge. This is not to say it’s impossible. There are several key characteristics used to identify earthworms. Just a few of the characteristics used to identify earthworms include: Genital tumescene (GT), the Tubercula pubertatis (TP), and the Clitellum.

The clitellum of adult earthworms contains features called genital tumescence, and tubercula pubertatis. The clitellum features, the male pores, and female pores are found above the clitellum and are all parts of the earthworm reproductive system. The earthworm also has “setae” which are tiny hair-like projections that are arranged in rows along the earthworm body. The setae are used are used for locomotion by the earthworm. The prostomium is the earthworm mouth. The size, shape, and position of the different characteristics of the worm are different in different species of earthworms and will help you to identify the species of earthworm you may be dealing with.

Earthworms belong to one of several different types of ecological groups. There are three broad ecological groups that have been identified for earthworms including: epigeic, endogeic, and anecic. The groups are based on what the earthworms eat and where they tend to live in the soil. The epigeic group is a litter feeder, litter dweller, pigmented, small in size, and it doesn’t burrow. The endogeic group consists of rich soil feeders, topsoil dwellers, has no pigmentation, burrows horizontally, and it is small in size. The anecic consists of litter and soil feeders, soil dwellers, dorsally pigmented bodies, extensive vertical burrows, and a large size. Size and color are usually good distinguishers for adult earthworms.

For more information about earthworms, you can download an online earthworm identification key by clicking here to visit The Backyard Nature websites key. To access an online field guide to earthworms, click here.

Christmas tree worms can be quite pleasing to the eye. It is Christmas tree-shaped with dazzling twin spirals of plumes used for feeding and respiration. This serpulid tube-dwelling worm is one of the most widely recognized sedentary polychaete worms in the world. The cone-shaped worm comes in many colors including orange, yellow, blue, and white. With an average 3.8 cm in span, Christmas tree worms are small in size but because of their beauty, shape, and color, they are easily spotted. Their colorful plumes, or tentacles are used for respiration and for passive feeding on suspended food particles and plankton in the water. Though the plumes are visible, most of the worm is anchored in its burrow that it bores into a live calcareous coral.

If you approach a Christmas tree worm, they will sense your presence immediately. They are extremely sensitive to disturbances and will rapidly retract into the burrow at the slightest touch or passing shadow. They typically re-emerge a minute later, very slowly, to test the water before fully extending their plumes again.

Christmas tree worms feed by using radioles. Radioles are hair-like appendages that circle outward from the central spine to catch phytoplankton floating in the water column. Once the worm catches the food, it is then passed down the food groove by the feeding pinnules. The feeding pinnules are ciliary tracts or tiny hair-like extensions on the surface of cells that generate water currents to move food or mucus. The food particles are sorted, but larger particles are discarded. Any sand grains that the worm collects are directed to storage sacs to be used later for tube building.

Christmas Tree Worms and your Home Aquarium

While Christmas tree worms make a beautiful addition to any home aquarium, most die within few months due to the improper care and lack of natural surroundings. To give your Christmas tree worms the best chance at a long life, follow the recommendations below.

Recommended Water parameters for keeping Christmas tree worms

PH: 8.2-8.3
Temperature: 77-79F
Ammonia: zero
Nitrite: zero
Nitrate: zero
Specific Gravity: 1.021-1.026
Dissolved Oxygen: 7-8 ppm
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Phosphates: zero
KH: A natural seawater level of 7 dKH
Redox Potential: 350-400mv

For pictures of Christmas tree worms and a video of a Christmas tree worm retracting click here to visit Reefbuilders.com.

Horsehair worms belong to the roundworm family and they earned the name because they look just like the thin hair of a horse tail. Horsehair worms are typically dark brown in color, but some are tan, yellow or black. They usually peak during the late summer as well as during the fall months. Finding horsehair worms in odd places is not uncommon. They have been spotted emerging from a cricket on the kitchen floor of homes or in the toilet after a cricket has been dumped there, and they have even been spotted in pets water bowls. They can also be found swimming around in lakes, rivers, streams, and garden ponds.

The life cycle begins when a male and female horsehair worm mate in soil or freshwater. The female can lay as many as 10 million eggs. She typically lays her eggs in water plants. Once the eggs hatch into larvae, they live inside cysts in vegetation — vegetation that is ingested by crickets, grasshoppers and other insects or bugs. Once ingested, the cysts dissolve inside of the grasshopper or cricket gut. The parasite makes its way into the body cavity of the insect where it absorbs nutrients from the insects’ food through the body wall. The horsehair worm is so thin that it can develop and grow to its maximum length inside the body cavity of small cricket. However, the usual length of time that a horsehair worm will develop inside the host is 4-20 weeks. Amazingly, once the horsehair worm reaches maturity inside of the host, it can live out the rest of its life from the nutrients and energy obtained from the host.

Another amazing thing about the horsehair worm is its ability to manipulate its body into many forms. The horsehair worm can even twist itself into a ball that resembles a Gordian knot. Hence the name, Gordian worm.

When the horsehair worm is ready to exit its host, usually when the host is near or in water, it will wiggle out of the nearest opening. This is not always the case, however. They have also been known to exit on dry land, of course. Once the parasite exits the body of an insect, this emerging actually completes the life cycle of the horsehair worm. If you dare, you can witness the horsehair worm exiting the body of a cricket here. Fair warning, its not a pretty sight.