Thursday, November 3, 2011





































scientific name: Lumbricus terrestris
common name: Earthworm, Megadrile, or Lob Worm
physical description:The basic body plan of an earthworm is a tube, the digestive system, within a tube, the muscular slimy, moist outer body. They have a distinguishing pink segment on their body which is located closer to the head and their color varies from pink to brown. This worm can reach 20-25 cm in length.
description of life cycle:
Cocoon -> Hatching -> Earthworm. (Quite basic)
predator/prey information:While they generally feed on plant material, they have been observed feeding on dead insects and feces.
any other interesting facts:
  1. earthworms have the ability to convert large pieces of organic matter into rich humus, and therefore improving soil fertility.
  2. the earthworm also ingests any other soil particles to make casts that are highly rich. They are deposited on the surface or deeper in the soil.
  3. By its burrowing actions, the earthworm is of great value in keeping the soil structure open, creating channels that allow the processes of both aeration and drainage to occur.