The Adventures of Herman the Worm covers several areas. The website and CD teach students about the history of the worm, the worms family tree, worm anatomy, how and where worms live, what worms eat, why worms are extremely important to the planet, and worm facts. Kids will also find a fun activities area as well as links to or notes about additional resources.

Herman the Worm is available in several languages, so kids from all backgrounds can enjoy this educational adventure. The site and CD also offer additional resources for teachers in the “Teacher’s Bin.”

The following is just a sampling of sub-topics offered in each topic area. The “Come Live with Me” section features fun sub-topics for creating and maintaining a worm neighborhood on your own such as:

-Making My Bin

-How Big Is My Bin?

-How Much Bedding Do You Need?

-Making the Bedding

-Feeding and Taking Care of Your Worms

-Harvesting Your Worm Bin

-My Neighborhood

To get started with Herman the Worm activities and lessons, visit the University of Illinois Extension Urban Programs Resource Network website at http://urbanext.illinois.edu/worms. Enjoy!

Fun Facts About Earthworms by All About

There are literally thousands of different worm species on the planet today. Without them, the earth’s trees, plants, fruits, and vegetables would not survive. Worms do several things for the earth. They aerate the soil, which means they dig tunnels in the soil, which allows air to get to the plant roots. Worms also eat organic matter, digest it, and excrete the digested material. This digested material is called castings. The castings are rich with phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.

Worm castings are so valuable and ten times richer in nutrients that commercial topsoil, that many gardeners and farmers use the composting method to fertilize plants and crops. Worm castings also help create channels within the layers of the earth’s soil, which helps to hold water better and keep moisture in the soil longer. Continue reading to learn more fun earthworm facts.

•There are more than 4,400 different types of worms in existence today. Of the 4,400 species, there are 2,700 species of earthworm. There are more than 1,200 species of another type of worm called the inchworm.

•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 does not 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.

•Earthworms 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, near springs, and in ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is burrowed inside the earth’s rich soil. During the winter months, they burrow deep within the earth until the surface warms again during the spring. During the warm summer months, worms stay closer to the tops of soil where they create tunnels to wiggle in and out of. These tunnels are extremely important for plant life as they create a path for water and air, which is essential for the survival of plant life.

•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 has “setae” which are tiny hair-like projections that are arranged in rows along the earthworm body. The setae are used for locomotion by the earthworm.

•Places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of earthworms. Besides the Sahara Desert, you will not find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. The vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain environmental conditions.

•Worms have no lungs, so they breathe through their skin. This means that the worm’s environment and skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. 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. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

•In addition to needing a moist environment for survival, worms must also remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits and vegetables.

•Although you cannot see them, unbelievably, worms do have mouths. The earthworm mouth is called the prostomium. The worm’s mouth is actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have 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.

•Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

•The worm’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.

In all, there are around 500 species of leeches living on the planet today, but only 63 can be found in North America and 35 in Ontario. Leeches such as ribbon leeches (gray to brown in color) are typically used for bait. They can be found in ponds and marshes and they typically feed at night. The horse leech, which is greenish to dark brown, is a predator and scavenger feeder. This is also used for bait. The medicine leech is black with reddish orange brown spots on its back. And as the name suggests, this leech is used for medicinal purposes in some countries.

The tiger leech has a thinnish body, and it can be brightly colored (orangish) or pale. This means, the tiger leech can blend with many different skin types. Some live on land (around sand) and others live in lakes and ponds. Most leeches, however, live in lakes, rivers, and ponds, so it is possible to come in contact with any number of leeches. Fortunately, leeches do not carry parasites of any known diseases. They do, however, cause a number of other unpleasant reactions.

Leeches attach themselves to a host (humans are preferred) and they suck blood from the body. This makes leeches sanguivorous, meaning, they feed on blood and they can ingest more than several times their own body weight in blood in one single “meal.” While leeches prefer human blood, they have no problems settling for fish blood, frog, turtle, and bird blood. Leeches are also cannibals, Yes, leeches will even feed on leeches.

While leeches are not known to transmit disease, they can cause irritation and other allergic reactions in humans as well as an infection or blood poisoning. In addition, a leech bite can bleed for hours if not treated. To treat a leech “bite” promptly, you must remove the leech by pushing the leech off the skin from the skinny end. Push the leech sideways to prevent the leech from discharging the contents of its gut into the bite. This can cause an infection and possible blood poisoning. Again, this is the best technique for removing leeches. Techniques such as ripping the leech off without thinking, heating it or pouring salt over it can be dangerous.

To repel leech bites, rub soap lather on exposed areas of the skin and let it dry. You may also apply eucalyptus oil, tropical strength insect repellent, or lemon juice to the skin and even the clothing. Leech socks are also extremely effective in protecting the skin from leeches. Leech socks are tightly woven, light-colored “socks” that fit over outer garments.

After you have safely removed the leech, you should wash the wound with soap and water and apply a cold pack if pain or swelling is present. Keep the wound clean until it heals. If you follow these steps, and you have no leech allergies and are in good health, you should have no problems healing. If you experience swelling around the lips and eyes, red blotches on the skin, an itchy rash, infection, or ulcer, go to the hospital immediately.

Earthworms help trees, plants, vegetables and fruits thrive by aerating the soil. When earthworms burrow through the soil, the tunnels allow air in to help plant roots breathe. Additionally, as earthworms digest organic matter, their bodies expel it and produce excrement that is rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Called castings, the nutrients enrich the soil to make plants happy. The earthworm castings also help the soil retain water. Moist soil helps the growth period of plant life.

Now that you know how beneficial worms are to the environment, you can rest easy knowing you probably will not come in contact with poisonous worm. If you do, chances are it is a bristle worm. Bristle worms live in trees, bark, sand, and reef in tropical areas around the world. 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.

Bristle worms belong to the family Polychaete. The common name is Acropora Crab. Bristle worms range in size from 1″ long up to a whopping 20″ in length. The vast majority of small bristle worms are orange in color and they can appear two-tone. Large bristle worms are usually gray or brownish in color. Like most worms, bristle worms are nocturnal, so they are not usually around during the day.

Bristle worms will only “bite” or sting if provoked. While their sting may cause some discomfort, the poison left behind rarely causes any damage. The bite may cause burning, redness, inflammation, pain or numbness. The bite may be treated by:

*Applying vinegar (topical acetic acid) or isopropyl alcohol.
*Removing the bristles with tweezers or adhesive tape. Ouch!
*Taking 1-2 acetaminophen every 4 hours and/or 1-2 ibuprofen every 6-8 hours for pain.
*If severe inflammation and a burning sensation develop, apply hydrocortisone cream 3 times per day.
*If pus, redness, or heat are present, these are signs of infection. Apply topical antibiotic ointment.

To prevent infection, talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics. Only a doctor can recommend the right antibiotics. If infection develops, continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared or as directed by your physician. Certain antibiotics cause sensitivity to the sun, so use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 during treatment.

Although 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. Depending on the species of worm, some caterpillars and worms may also be similar in length. Some caterpillars may grow up to three inches long or more. The similarities end here.

There are many ways to tell the difference between a worm and a caterpillar. Verifying whether or not the creatures crawling around in your garden or home are caterpillars or worms will help you decide which treatment and prevention techniques will be effective. For starters, you may download an online identification key for earthworms by clicking here. The link will take you to The Backyard Nature websites where you will find a key that is available to all. You may also access an online field guide to earthworms by clicking hereclick here.

In the meantime, here is a bit of information about the physical differences between caterpillars and worms. Caterpillars and worms also live quite differently from one another. 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. Each segment has two pairs of hairs called setae. The setae help worms grip the soil or other materials. In general, worms and caterpillars move slowly. When faced by an attacker, however, they can move fairly quickly.

There are literally thousands of different species of worms and more than 2,700 species of earthworm alone. Like earthworms (annelida), caterpillars have segmented bodies. Another similarity between caterpillars and worms is caterpillars and worms are a favorite food for other animals. They are both protein rich and some worms, such as the white worm or “pasta worm”, are raised specifically for feeding to other animals such as fish. Worms and caterpillars are known for having hearty appetites. Their appetites are so hearty that they have earned the name “pest” by farmers around the globe. Depending on the type of worm or caterpillar, they can eat through crops of all kinds, plants, trash, and even inedible materials such as cotton.

Worms and caterpillars have to defend themselves against a wide variety of predators quite regularly. Because of this, each animal has no choice but to utilize a wide variety of techniques to ward off attacks. Worms protect themselves in several ways. If their attackers hunt for them below ground, worms will quickly withdraw into their burrows. If a worm finds itself face to face with a predator on the surface, the worm will thrash about, jump, and twist their bodies. Some worms may also spit and spew a foul smelling or foul tasting fluid.

The caterpillar is just as aggressive when it comes to defending itself. Caterpillars have long hairs or bristles on their bodies, which can detach and lodge into the skin or mucous membranes of the predator. In some caterpillars, the bristles contain poison from the caterpillar’s venom glands. This poison is so powerful that in the case of the South American silk moth, it can be fatal to human beings. 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.

If you still have questions or concerns about green and black worms, please review the following related All About Worms articles:

What Are the Different Types of Green Worms?

Green Caterpillar

Bioluminescent Insects: The Railroad Worm

Green Worms in Your Garden

Green or Black, the Inchworm Will Attack

Earthworms, like all segmented worms, can be found all over the world. 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. During the winter months, they burrow deep within the earth until the surface warms again during the spring. During the warm summer months, worms stay closer to the tops of soil where they create tunnels to wiggle in and out of. These tunnels are extremely important for plant life as they create a path for water and air, which is essential for the survival of plant life.

Places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of worms. Besides the Sahara Desert, you won’t find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. The vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain environmental conditions.

Worms have no lungs, so they breathe through their skin. This means that the worm’s environment and skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. 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. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

In addition to needing a moist environment for survival, worms must also remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Although you cannot see them, unbelievably, worms do have mouths. The worm’s mouth is actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have 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. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

The worm’s moist, sustenance rich environment plays an extremely important role in reproduction as well. Worms prefer to mate and reproduce in warm moist soil, preferable, away from the light.

Silk Worms
Silk 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. Silk worms create their cocoons after being alive for one month. It then takes three days for them to build a cocoon that they will live in for three weeks before emerging as a butterfly.

Earthworms
Earthworms create cocoons to protect their young offspring and embryos as they develop. The cocoon is created during the mating ritual and then buried in the ground until the offspring are ready to emerge.

Red Worms
Frequently used for composting, red worms create cocoons that are oval in shape and dark in color. These cocoons are created to protect eggs during the development stage of life. They are very strong and can last for several years protecting future generations from the elements. There have been many cases where red worm cocoons hatched young worms years after being created during the mating process.

Tomato Hornworms
Tomato Hornworms are closely relation to Tobacco Hornworms. They are not worms but do feed on tomato plants and other garden plants voraciously until they are ready to pupate and transform to the next stage of the life. Tomato Hornworms are fat, green worm like creatures that have excellent camouflage abilities; they are very difficult to see during the day as they blend in with the garden environment with ease.

Tomato Hornworms are really moths and they are garden pests of the worst variety as they ruin plants and destroy crops. Sometimes, these worms are seen with white cocoons on their backs. These cocoons should not be destroyed as they are the cocoon of the Braconid Wasp, a predator of the Hornworm. These wasps will help eliminate the Hornworms from your garden, not create more.

There are many creatures such as butterflies and beetles that are mistaken for worms during their early life development. True worms that make cocoons do so during the mating process as the cocoon is to protect eggs during development. In general, if you see a worm like creature creating a cocoon then it is an insect of another name.

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. Worms have strong appetites. They typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours. Their appetites are so hearty that they have earned the name “pest” by farmers around the globe. Depending on the type of worm or they can eat through crops of all kinds, plants, trash, and even inedible materials such as cotton.

If you are tempted to kill worms in order to protect your garden or crops, don’t!
Worms do several things for the earth. They aerate the soil, which means they dig tunnels in the soil, which allows air to get to the plant roots. Worms also eat organic matter, digest it, and excrete the digested material. This digested material is called castings. The castings are rich with phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.

Worm castings are so valuable and ten times richer in nutrients that commercial topsoil, that many gardeners and farmers use the composting method to fertilize plants and crops. Worm castings also help create channels within the layers of the earth’s soil, which helps to hold water better and keep moisture in the soil longer.

Want to learn more about earthworms? Read our fun facts about earthworms below. Enjoy!

•There are more than 4,400 different types of worms in existence today. Of the 4,400 species, there are 2,700 species of earthworm. There are more than 1,200 species of another type of worm called the inchworm.

•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.

•Earthworms 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, near springs, and in ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is burrowed inside the earth’s rich soil. During the winter months they burrow deep within the earth until the surface warms again during the spring. During the warm summer months, worms stay closer to the tops of soil where they create tunnels to wiggle in and out of. These tunnels are extremely important for plant life as they create a path for water and air, which is essential for the survival of plant life.

•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 has “setae” which are tiny hair-like projections that are arranged in rows along the earthworm body. The setae are used for locomotion by the earthworm.

•Places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of earthworms. Besides the Sahara Desert, you won’t find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. The vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain environmental conditions.

•Worms have no lungs, so they breathe through their skin. This means that the worm’s environment and skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. 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. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

•In addition to needing a moist environment for survival, worms must also remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off of leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits and vegetables.

•Although you cannot see them, believe it or not, worms do have mouths. The earthworm mouth is called the prostomium. The worm’s mouth is actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have 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.

•Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

•The worm’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.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Subclass: Oligochaeta
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus: Megascolides
Species: M. australis
Binomial name: Megascolides australis

Discovered in 1878, one of the world’s largest worm is an earthworm that is one of 1,000 native Australian earthworms on record today. Called the “Giant Gippsland Earthworm,” this massive creature has the ability to grow anywhere from 6.5 to 10 feet in length and around 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter. The longest Giant Gippsland worm on record, however, was 13 feet long.

Like other earthworms, the Giant Gippsland Earthworm needs water and moisture to survive. This 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.

The Gippsland worm will not come out if you try to coax it. What you will do is scare them into burrowing deeper into the ground. Any disturbance will make the worms slither as fast as they can through their slippery tunnels. You will hear a gurgling noise as they hustle beneath the surface.

The Gippsland earthworm is an endangered species, so it is against the law to disturb them. These creatures are already fragile, thanks to agriculture, herds of animals, and pesticides. If you dig up a Gippsland worm and handle it, you could end up killing it. Fortunately, Gippsland earthworms mate every spring and summer. The egg sacs are around 2-3 inches long and they take a year to develop. Baby Gippsland worms are anything but. When they are born, the Gippsland worm is already 8 inches long. The head is deep purple and the skin is pinkish-gray.

For more information about the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, the following reading materials might be useful:

Taylor, S., Crosthwaite, J. & Backhouse, G. 1997. Giant Gippsland Earthworm Megascolides australis. Natural Resources and Environment Flora & Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 77. 7 pp.

Van Praagh, B. 1992. The biology and conservation of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm Megascolides australis McCoy, 1878. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 24 (12):1363-1367.

To 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. So, is it a caterpillar or a worm? For starters, identifying worms is much easier than identifying caterpillars. Caterpillar’s change their appearance so quickly from larvae to moth or butterfly, it’s tough to keep track of common characteristics of all species.

There are literally thousands of different types of moths and more than 700 different types of butterflies in North America alone. Most of the information that is available about the caterpillar stage of development comes from only a tiny portion of the caterpillars scientists have managed to study. Fortunately, there are several books and a few trusted websites that can help you if you are attempting to identify any given type of caterpillar.

According to Children’s Butterfly Site (www.kidsbutterfly.com), the only readily available books are the Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars by Amy Wright published by Houghton Mifflin, and the Golden guide to Butterflies and Moths by Robert T. Mitchell. You can find (some) photos of caterpillars on the Butterflies and Moths of North America web site. For step-by-step identification assistance, try the Caterpillar Guide of the IDnature guides series of the IDnature guides series. For resources with a regional focus, try Caterpillars of Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands and Woodlands or Caterpillars of Eastern Forests. Both of these illustrate common moth and butterfly larvae of the respective regions, with emphasis on those that are economically important. The northwestern guide contains a key that enables the user to identify a specimen based on morphological characteristics. Its use requires the reader to learn some scientific terminology and examine the specimen quite closely, often with a magnifying glass. The eastern guide is organized by family, and the reader will have to search it photo by photo; to make it easier to read, a photo thumbnails feature has been added to this resource. – www.kidsbutterfly.com

Worm Identification

The branch of zoology that deals with the study of insects is called “entomology.” 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 19th century, largely as a result of the publication of On the Origin of Species (1859) Charles Darwin, which showed how the study of insects illuminates certain aspects of evolution. In the 20th century, entomological research was further stimulated by successes in the search for solutions to medical and economic problems involving insects. Today, there is more research done and literature published annually in this field than in any other branch of zoology.” –By MSN Encarta Encyclopedia:

Because there are more than 2,700 species of earthworm alone, when identifying worms, there are several important steps that should be taken in order to identify them correctly. First, you should become familiar with the key characteristics used for identifying 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 earthworms you may be dealing with.

After you have become familiar with earthworm characteristics, you should become familiar with the characteristics of earthworms that indicate which ecological group they belong to. 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 identifying worms, you can download an online identification key for earthworms by clicking here to visit The Backyard Nature websites’ key or to access an online field guide to earthworms, click here.

Worm Control Options

Controlling worms in your garden can be tricky. Earthworms are crucial for the survival of plants, flowers, and trees. If you use chemicals to kill “pests” in your garden, you may end up killing the beneficial earthworms buried beneath the soil in your landscape. Earthworms do several things for the earth. They aerate the soil, which means they dig tunnels in the soil, which allows air to get to the plant roots. Worms also eat organic matter, digest it, and excrete the digested material. This digested material is called “castings.” The castings are rich with phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.

Worm castings are so valuable and ten times richer in nutrients that commercial topsoil, that many gardeners and farmers use the composting method to fertilize plants and crops. Worm castings also help create channels within the layers of the earth’s soil, which helps to hold water better and keep moisture in the soil longer.

To get rid of pests, it’s best to let the professionals do the job. They will have the knowledge and skills needed to kill garden pests without harming earthworms. If you prefer to treat your garden on your own, you can load a sprayer with liquid Sevin or any other insecticide as recommended by a specialist. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully to avoid killing earthworms.

To 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. Resources with pictures are especially useful in figuring out what type of worm you are dealing with and learning the exact steps you need to follow to take care of the problem.

There are several common worms and worm-like insects that live in cherry trees including the tent worm, the cherry slug and canker worms.

Tent Worms
Tent worms are known for the white tents they create that look a bit like spider webs although they are thick and difficult to see through. In reality, these worms are caterpillars and they multiply like rabbits. Active in spring, tent worms nest in many different fruit trees. They create an eyesore but they seldom cause problems to the trees they live on or people in the area. The easiest way to get rid of these worms is to remove the branches they are living on. Other options include removing the worms by hand and using a stick or other object to take off the tent like structure.

The Cherry Slug
The cherry slug is also known as the pear slug and it very much looks like a leech. These slugs are actually insects that are well known for the potential damage they may do to many common fruit bearing trees. They have slender bodies and thick, round heads. Dark green, orange and slimy in appearance, the cherry slug begin feeding on trees in mid to late summer and again in the fall. The most damage is generally done by the second generation that comes to life in the fall. Insecticides are effective in treating and removing cherry slugs from a tree. Depending on when it is applied and the severity of the problem, more than one application may be needed.

Cankerworms
There are both spring and fall cankerworms that feed on a variety of deciduous tress and shrubs. Cankerworms (also known as inchworms, measuring worms, loopers or spanworms) are present from early spring until fall. The larvae of these worms may be confused for a leech-like worm before they become more recognizable as adults. Adult cankerworms have prologs and look more like caterpillars than leeches. The easiest way to remove cankerworms from a cherry tree is to use an insecticide spray or an horticultural oil spray.