Articles About Earthworms
Bristle worms can be found in other parts of the world as well. Some are errant, meaning, they move along the shoreline and shallow water, while others are tube-binding which means they build a permanent tube or home along the shoreline flats.
Weird Black and Green WormsAlthough caterpillars and worms have some similarities, many differences exist between the two species. Worms and caterpillars have soft bodies, meaning they do not have a skeletal system, and both animals are nocturnal.
Most Common Types of Segmented WormsAt last count, there were more than 9,000 species of segmented worms on the planet today. Some of the most common types of segmented worms include earthworms, leeches, and sandworms.
Common Types of Cocoon WormsSilk worms are often confused for worms, but they are not a member of the worm family at all. Instead, they are caterpillars that create a cocoon to complete the transformation process from caterpillar to butterfly.
Do Worms Eat Dirt?Depending on the type of worm, all kinds of plants may be consumed. They eat leaves, dead grass, fruit, vegetables, and all kinds of flowers. These materials contain organisms that provide a steady diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi.
Worlds Largest WormThis means, the Gippsland rarely leaves its wet underground labyrinth. According to the Museum of Victoria, it is only found in the Bass River Valley of South Gippsland, in an area of about 100,000 hectares bounded by the towns of Loch, Korumburra and Warragul.
Worms That Eat Flower BudsTo find out what kind of insect has been gnawing away at your flowers at night, you have to catch them in the act first, then identify them. Once you have identified the culprit, you can explore control options.
Leech-like Worms and Cherry TreesTo learn exactly what type of worm is living in your cherry tree you will need to collect specific information on the appearance and behavior of the animal in question. Once you have this information, you can go online to find out the specific type of worm or visit your local library or bookstore to find books on worms
How to Handle CocoonsYou should not handle cocoons if you do not want to disturb this crucial stage in the life cycle of insects. Unfortunately, in this stage the insect is mostly defenseless.
Thick Hairy Worm: Or is it a Caterpillar?Much like worms, caterpillars also spit juices and produce bad smells to ward off attackers. Caterpillars also have the ability to create a silk line and drop out of site if a predator approaches.
Worms’ Digestive Systemsuction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a short amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.
Why Are Worms So Slimy?Worms’ bodies produce a sticky film (mucus) helps keep it from drying out. Worms breathe through their skin.
How to Create Worm Lesson PlansThere are so many things to learn about when it comes to worms such as anatomy, where they live, reproduction, and eating habits. As a result, the amount of material that can be used for worm lesson plans is virtually endless.
Monarch Caterpillars and WormsMost gardeners, nature lovers, and others take joy in observing monarch caterpillars as they transform into butterflies, and flutter around gardens and trees. Worms, earthworms in particular, may not be as beautiful as monarch caterpillars, but they are crucial to maintaining beauty in our environment as well.
Signs of Worms in DogsIn addition to recognizing signs of worms in dogs, it is important to recognize what the different types dog worms look like. Round worms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like grains of rice.
Do Caterpillars and Worms Eat the Same Things?Worms and caterpillars have strong appetites. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours. Some caterpillars have earned the name “pest” because in high enough numbers they can eat through entire fields of plants and flowers, killing the plants in the process.
Why Do Worms Come Out in the Rain?Earthworm species such as A. gracilis have high oxygen consumption, meaning, it has greater oxygen consumption, therefore it is more sensitive to depletion of oxygen when the ground is saturated with water.
Green CaterpillarGreen caterpillars are very common and can easily be confused with worms in the early stages of the lifecycle. They thrive in many environments including gardens, trees and plants. Caterpillars are often found on the stems of plants and trees as this is a common form of food.
Types of CaterpillarsMany moth species are better known as caterpillars because of the damage they can inflict to fruit trees and other produce. There are over 180,000 types of caterpillars throughout the world.
Segmented Worm TypesThe earthworm is by far the most vast and varied group of segmented worms on the planet. Just think, there are more than 2,700 different types of earthworm living in every corner of the earth today.
Species of WormsWhether they live in the cool damp soil or on a white sand beach, most worms belong to the segmented worms group. There are more than 9,000 species of segmented worms in existence today.
Do Worms Eat Plants?Worms eat more than just plants. They eat dead grass and dirt too! Leaves and dead grass contain organisms that provide a steady diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms also eat fruits, and antioxidant rich vegetables.
Are Caterpillar Parts Like Worm Parts?In general, worms and caterpillars move slowly, but when either creature senses danger or a predator, they move quickly.
Caterpillar or Worm?One of the most obvious differences between caterpillars and worms is caterpillars move around on three pairs of legs, while worms have no limbs at all. Worms move around by contracting their segments.
Can a Worm See?Earthworms have light-sensitive cells located throughout the outer layer of the skin. Earthworms cannot use these cells to see, but they help worms detect light and changes in light intensity. These light-sensitive cells are also sensitive to touch and chemicals.
How Long to Earthworms Live?Depending on the environmental conditions, certain earthworm species may live anywhere from 4-8 years. The life span of an earthworm also depends on the number of predators the worm has to fend off each day.
Types of Worm BitesEarthworms don’t actually bite, but their skin can cause major irritation on human skin if contact last more than a few minutes. The irritation is not a result of the actual worm skin but rather the materials that worms pick up as they writhe, wriggle, and borough inside the earth and along the ground.
How Fast Do Earthworms Travel?The speed at which earthworms travel depends on the size of the earthworm. A small earthworm travels at a rate of around 27 feet per hour (0.2 centimeters per second).
Feeding Compost WormsThere are a number of rules to follow when feeding compost worms. It is important to avoid feeding bones, meat, fat, cheese or dairy, grass, twigs or wood, banana peels, or any synthetic materials to your red worms.
What is a Flat Worm?A flat worm, also spelled “flatworm,” is native to Indo-China, but it makes its way around the world by traveling in greenhouse plants. For the most part, flat worms can survive just about anywhere, so no one region is 100% safe.
Worm Digestive System: How Does It Work?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”.
Grubs and CompostingIf you plan to find your own worms, then you should examine the soil and the worms for grubs. Simply sift through the worms and soil to look for larvae.
What Causes Worms to Die?While worms need moisture to survive, too much moisture can be fatal. If too much water is present, it takes the place of oxygen, which will cause the worms to flee to the surface.
Mealy WormsThe mealy worm is the larva of the mealworm beetle, which is a species of the darkling beetle. Because of their high protein content, mealy worms are mostly used as a food source, but they can also be used for composting.
How to Repel (Not Kill) EarthwormsThe earthworm’s moist, sustenance rich environment plays an extremely important role in reproduction as well. Worms prefer to mate and reproduce in warm moist soil, away from the light. If the conditions are not suitable for reproduction, the worms won’t reproduce.
How to Get Rid of Grubs without Harming EarthwormsGrub worms feed on plants and the roots of turf grasses and the adult beetles feed on trees, shrubs, and other foliage. While grub worms are harmless to humans, they can be devastating to crops mainly because they feed on crop roots.
Peanut WormsMuch like earthworms, peanut worms prefer to live in moist, dark places. Many peanut worms burrow themselves under rocks and boulders that can be found in the mud or sand or they make their home in reef.
Web Worms in Pecan Trees: Can You Safely Remove them on Your Own?A professional home and garden exterminator will know exactly how to kill the pests in your pecan trees without killing the earthworms below.
What Do Inchworms Eat?Inchworms may be small, but they have a voracious appetite for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Depending on the type of inchworm, these greedy little creatures will nosh their way through crops until there’s nothing left!
Different Types of WormsThere are literally thousands of different types of worms on the earth. Some can be found in just about any garden or backyard, while others may be found buried beneath the sand on hundreds of beaches overseas.
How to Get Rid of the Flat WormThe flat worm is usually medium-brown in color with dark markings or stripes. Some worms may appear gray to greenish/gray as well. All types feed on earthworms, so beware.
Raising Fishing WormsNot all worms thrive under identical conditions, so its best to stick to one type of worm. It is also good to stick to one type of worm if you are interested in maintaining a small scale “worm farm.”
What Is a Black Worm?Black worms do not have lungs or gills. They breathe through their skin.
Limb Boring WormThe limb boring worm tunnels into hard materials such as rocks and shells. While you may never witness a boring worm in action, you may notice their bodies sticking out of mollusk shells and rock cracks after they have tunneled through.
What Kind of Worm is This?To help answer the question, “what kind of worm is this?” an entire branch of zoology called “Entomology” was established to classify the thousands of worm species that have been discovered on planet earth.
Identifying WormsThere 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.
“Sand Case” Carrying Worm?Worms called gastrotrichs have bodies covered with tiny tubes that secrete a cement. The cement tubes make it appear as though the worm is carrying a case filled with sand!
How to Kill Worms in Pecan TreesKilling worms in pecan trees can be tricky as many chemicals and pesticides that are meant to kill pests can actually kill the beneficial earthworms living in the soil below.
Worm Control 101Bacillus thuringiensis, a wilt pathogen, is available to gardeners to help control worm infestations. Fortunately, this pathogen is only toxic to insects.
How to Raise Earth WormsWhen raising earth worms, you won’t have to “turn” your worm system. When composting, it is essential to turn your worm system to encourage aeration.
Facts About WormsWorms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.
Garden WormsGarden worms come in all shapes and sizes and believe it or not, they play a major role in the survival of our fruits, vegetables, trees, and plants. There are so many worms living inside the earth that it would be impossible to list them all here. Fortunately, there are some worm groups that are larger than others.
Worm Holes (Not the Ones in Space – the Ones Made by Worms)When worms create worm holes, this activity aerates and mixes the soil and it is constructive to mineralization and nutrient uptake by vegetation. This is crucial to the health of the earth and soil for gardening and farming.
Silk WormBecause the silk worm is so precious, it is no longer found in nature. In fact, the silk worm is totally dependent on humans for reproduction.
Earth WormEarth worms belong to one of several different types of ecological groups. There are three broad ecological groups that have been identified for earth worms including: epigeic, endogeic, and anecic.
How to Get Rid of Hammerhead FlatwormsIf you attempt to chop up a hammerhead flatworm or even smash it, the pieces will only regenerate into new hammerhead flatworms.
Can Earthworms Live in Mulch?Worms can be found at just about every corner of the earth. They live in trees, in bark, and under rocks as well as along rivers and near springs, and ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is in the earth’s rich soil.
Worm Lesson PlansLittle boys love them, little girls think they’re gross, and adults think they’re pretty creepy, but one thing that all can agree on is: worms are downright fascinating! There are more than 9,000 species of (segmented) worms in existence today.
Segmented WormsThe earthworm is by far the most vast and varied group of segmented worms on the planet. Just think, there are more than 2,700 different types or earthworm living in every corner of the earth today.
Worm PicturesIf you’re interested in worm pictures, you can always find them online, of course. However, some online resources for worm pictures are much better than others. Many online resources offer only a few worm pictures while others may offer hundreds. If you’re looking for a large number of worm pictures all in one place, there [...]
Worm BinsWorm bins are used for worm composting. Depending on the scale of your composting project, the size of the worm bin will vary. Some systems are “small scale” while others may be “large scale.” Small scale worm bins may be homemade or purchased from a retailer. Small scale worm bins are made of wood, plastic, [...]
Worm HoleWorm hole is defined as a hypothetical passage in space-time connecting widely separated parts of the universe. Worm hole has a second definition as well. It is also defined as a hole made by a burrowing worm. There are many different types of burrowing worms. Some are considered deep burrowing worms while others are considered [...]
What Do Worms Eat?They say flies are the filthiest insects on earth. Flies will feast on just about anything, including feces, dead animals, and even blood. They also eat nectar, plant sap, and other insects. At the opposite end of the spectrum are worms. Worms are among the “cleanest” insects on earth. They don’t dine on blood or [...]
Raising WormsThe process for raising worms is much like the process for worm composting. The same materials used for composting worms are the same for raising worms. The reasons for using these materials are the same in both cases as well. The only difference between raising worms and composting worms using the same method is that [...]
Why are Worms Slimy?Worms have the ability to coat themselves in mucus. Worms must coat themselves in mucus in order to absorb oxygen. By coating themselves in mucus, dissolved oxygen is free to pass into the worms bloodstream.
About Worms
There are more than 4,400 species of worms, with more than 2,700 species of earthworms alone. Earthworms can be [...]
Red worms have so many different names and spellings, that it would be tough to list them all here, but just a few of the other names and spellings for red worms include: Red Wigglers, Red Wiggler, Brandlings, Earthworms, Earth Worms, Redworms, Manure Worms, Red Wiggler Worms, Trout Worms, Compost Worms, and Tiger Worms.
Red [...]
Worm identification falls under the branch of zoology dealing with insects called, entomology. According to the MSN Encarta Encyclopedia:
“Although insects were studied as early as the 4th century bc, particularly by Aristotle, the modern science did not begin to develop until the 17th century ad. The science of entomology received great impetus in the [...]
There are so many worms living inside the earth that it’s impossible to list them all here. That said, there are some worm groups that are larger than others such as the earthworm and the inch worm. While there are more than 4,400 different types of worms, there are 2,700 different types or earthworm alone [...]
Meal WormsThere are several types of worms that can be used as bait for fish, reptiles, and birds. Two of the most popular types include the Bait Worm and the Meal Worm. Meal worms are the larva of the mealworm beetle, which is the species of darkling beetle. Because of their high protein content, meal worms [...]
Anatomy of a WormWhile a lizard will lose its tail as a means of protection, if a worm loses either end (the anterior or the posterior) it’s usually at the hands of a predator, an unfortunate accident or a curious human that believes the worm will regenerate if they chop it in half. Unlike lizards, the worm protects [...]
Worms and “Coiling”There are literally hundreds of thousands of worm species in the world today and roughly 2,700 are earthworms. Although there are thousands of different species of worms around the world, worms share a number of common characteristics. Their physical characteristics are similar as well as their diet, reproduction, where they live, and defense mechanisms.
Worm [...]
There are more than 2,700 species of earthworms in existence today and they can be found in just about every corner of the earth. They live in trees, in bark, and under rocks as well as along rivers and near springs, and ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is in the earth’s rich soil. [...]
How do worms survive in the soil?Did you know that worms are 1,000 times stronger than humans? Did you know that worms are hemaphrodites? This means they have both male and female sex organs! Worms are amazing creatures, so these are just a few interesting facts about our cold-blooded friends. Another interesting characteristic of the worm is its habitat. Worms live [...]
The Hammerhead FlatwormThe hammerhead flatworm can reach up to 20 inches long and its body is very slimy, which allows it to move along the ground in a gliding motion. The body secretes mucus from glands on its belly or underside. The hammerhead is native to Indo-China, but it makes its way around the world by traveling in greenhouse plants.
Non-Toxic Ways to Eliminate Inch WormsWhether you’re a farmer, a gardener or a novice, you may have experienced an inch worm infestation at one point or another. More than likely the inch worm infestation caused so much damage to your crops, plants or garden that you may have resorted to poisonous chemical remedies to treat the infestation. These remedies may have been effective, but you may have concerns about the toxic nature of these chemicals. Fortunately, there are several less toxic and non-toxic ways to control inch worm infestations.
Bait WormsBelieve it or not, the market for bait worms is huge in the U.S. and in most other parts of the world. It is estimated that in the state of Maine alone, more than 200 tons of bait worms are produced each year and in the UK, more than 700 tons are produced each year for both commercial and personal use.
Where do earthworms live?Besides the Sahara Desert, it is unlikely that you will find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. You see, the vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain conditions.
The difference between caterpillars and wormsOne of the most obvious differences between caterpillars and worms is caterpillars move around on three pairs of legs, while worms have no limbs at all. Worms move around by contracting their segments.
Why Worms Hate Light and HeatWorms prefer complete darkness because the light affects them in the worst way. Light does not kill worms, but if worms spend too much time in the light (typically one hour), they become paralyzed.
Glow Worms (Arachnocampa)If you think you can make an average every day worm glow in the dark by feeding it certain foods or poking it with a stick, think again! Not to be confused with “glow worm beetles,� glow worms have the amazing ability to produce light naturally and they can only be found in Austrailia and New Zealand.
Edible Worms: Tasty for Some & High in ProteinWorms, grubs, and insect larvae are tasty treats for many individuals around the world. They’re also gaining popularity in the U.S., for their protein and low-fat value.
Earthworm Farms: The Bad & the UglyThe massive amount of living creatures in a worm bin or farm is mainly beneficial. However, predators and other creatures find the composting process attractive, to the detriment of worm health.
Earthworms & Other Peaceful Inhabitants in the BinEarthworm bins are alive with activity. Many beneficial creatures, along with bacteria, molds, and fungi make it a comfortable and healthy environment.
EarthwormsSo you think all earthworms are the same? Think again! There are 2700 known species of earthworms on our planet!
10 Great Earth Worm FactsThese ten great earthworm facts will convince you that the earthworm is an amazing creature. Test your own knowledge against these 10 great earth worm facts!
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