Worm coloring. Earthworm

Earthworms are one of the most ancient inhabitants of planet Earth. They live almost everywhere, with the exception of the permafrost of Antarctica. Thanks to this boneless creature, the soil becomes fertile. It is their vital activity that is the fundamental factor for the formation of the fertile layer.

General characteristics and living conditions

Body Shape earthworm, color, size - these are the unique characteristics of an invertebrate. Let's take a closer look.

The body of the worm is made up of many ring-shaped segments. In some individuals their number reaches 320. The worms move with the help of short bristles located on these segments. Externally, the body of individuals resembles a long tube.

For their normal functioning, the humidity level must be at 75%. Worms die if the soil dries out and the humidity drops to 35% or lower. This is due to the fact that they breathe through their skin. Consequently, they simply cannot live in dry soil and water.

The most optimal temperature for their comfortable life - from 18 to 24 degrees above zero. If it starts to get colder, the worms begin to go deeper, where it is warmer and more humid. If atmospheric temperature does not increase, then they hibernate. If this indicator rises above 42 degrees, then the worms die. The same thing happens if the temperature is too low. And worms crawl out after rain due to lack of oxygen in the soil.

Interesting fact: it was the ability to fall into a state of suspended animation that allowed worms to survive during the Ice Age.

The benefits of worms

It is thanks to worms that the soil throughout the planet is in constant movement. The lower layers rise to the top and are saturated with carbon dioxide and humic acids. These invertebrates provide potassium and phosphorus.

Worms prepare the soil for plant growth better than any human hand or technique. Thanks to these creatures, even large stones and objects sink deep into the ground over time. And small pebbles are gradually ground in the stomach of the worms and turn into sand. However, excessive use chemical substances person in agriculture inevitably leads to a reduction in their population. Today, there are already 11 species of earthworms in the Red Book of Russia.

Color

The color of an earthworm directly depends on skin pigments. But this characteristic is relevant only for living individuals.

If the worm lacks skin pigments, it will remain pink or red throughout its life. In the presence of this component, the color of the earthworm can be brown, blue, yellow or brown.

For example, the Allophora chlorotica worm is yellowish or greenish in color. A Lumbricus rubellus - earthworms- have a brown-red or purple color with a pearlescent tint.

Body length

The average size of all individuals is from 5 to 20 centimeters, with a thickness from 2 to 12 mm. However, in tropical forests Invertebrate specimens up to 3 meters long are found. Naturally, with such sizes there can be more than 3 thousand ring-shaped segments.

Types of worms

Invertebrate animals live in all layers of the soil, hence the species that feed on the surface of the earth are distinguished:

Surface Feeders		Soil feeders
Litter	Individuals under no circumstances fall below 10 centimeters into the ground		Living in deep soil layers
Soil-litter	They live at a depth of 10 to 20 centimeters		They constantly form new tunnels, but feed in the humus layer
	They constantly make deep passages, but only the upper end of the body can come out for food consumption and mating.

Littering and burrowing individuals are characteristic of waterlogged soils. In other words, they live near ponds, swamps and in regions with a humid subtropical climate.

The tundra is characterized by soil-litter and litter worms. In the steppes, only soil species can be found.

Worm nutrition and digestive organs

Regardless of the type and color of the earthworm, they are all omnivores. By ingesting huge amounts of soil, they consume half-rotten leaves. From this mixture they get useful material. They do not eat only leaves with an unpleasant odor, but they like fresh ones.

Charles Darwin wrote about the omnivorous nature of worms. He conducted many experiments by hanging pieces of various foods, including the remains of dead worms, over a pot containing animals, and most of this food was eaten.

After digesting the soil, the worm rises out and throws it out. Excreta, soaked in intestinal secretions, is viscous and hardens when dried in air. There is no randomness in their actions; waste is first dumped on one side, then on the other. As a result, a characteristic turret-like entrance to the burrow is formed.

Worms not only feed on leaves, plant stems, and scraps of wool, they use them to plug the entrances to burrows.

In all earthworms, regardless of body shape and color, the mouth is located at the front end of the body. The swallowing process occurs due to the muscular pharynx. After this, food - earth with leaves - enters the intestines. If some part of the food has not been digested, it is thrown away along with the processed food. The release occurs through the anus, located at the posterior end of the body.

Reproductive system

All earthworms are hermaphrodites. Before laying eggs, two different individuals exchange seminal fluid by lightly touching them. After this, each worm secretes mucus from a “belt” located on the front of the body, into which eggs enter. After some time, the lump with them practically slides off the body and turns into a cocoon. After maturation, young individuals emerge from it.

and sense organs

Absolutely all individuals, regardless of the color of the earthworm, do not have sensory organs. Their tactile sense works best. Similar cells are located throughout the body, and even a slight vibration of the ground causes the worm to hide and sink into deeper layers of soil. These elements are also responsible for the perception of light. After all, such individuals do not have eyes. But if you shine a flashlight on them at night, they will quickly hide.

Researchers say worms have a nervous system. This is confirmed by the fact that they have elementary reflexes: when the body is touched, it instantly contracts, protecting the worm from touch.

Even Darwin noticed that such creatures are distinguished by their smell. If the worm does not like the aroma of food, then he will refuse such a meal.

Animal enemies

It doesn’t matter at all what body color an earthworm has, what type it has or where it lives, all individuals have natural enemies. The most terrible of them is the mole. This mammal not only eats worms, but also stores them for the future. The mole has a paralyzing substance in its saliva that acts specifically on invertebrates. This is how he catches worms.

Frogs and shrews will not disdain to taste them. Many birds eat earthworms - these are blackbirds, poultry, starlings and woodcocks. Many arthropods do not disdain worms - these are arachnids, different types insects and centipedes.

Vermiculture

Recently, the topic of organic vegetable growing has become relevant. The question may arise as to what worms have to do with it. Everything is very simple. Vermiculture is based on the cultivation of earthworms. In this case, it does not matter at all what color the earthworm is, the most important thing is the production of vermicompost. Latest Trends they say that vermiculture will soon completely replace harmful chemical fertilizers from agriculture.

Annelids have the highest organization compared to other types of worms; For the first time, they have a secondary body cavity, a circulatory system, and a more highly organized nervous system. U annelids inside the primary cavity, another, secondary cavity was formed with its own elastic walls made of mesoderm cells. It can be compared to airbags, one pair in each segment of the body. They “swell”, fill the space between the organs and support them. Now each segment received its own support from the bags of the secondary cavity filled with liquid, and the primary cavity lost this function.

They live in soil, fresh and sea water.

External structure

The earthworm has an almost round body in cross section, up to 30 cm long; have 100-180 segments, or segments. In the anterior third of the body there is a thickening - the girdle (its cells function during the period of sexual reproduction and egg laying). On the sides of each segment there are two pairs of short elastic setae, which help the animal when moving in the soil. The body is reddish-brown in color, lighter on the flat ventral side and darker on the convex dorsal side.

Internal structure

Characteristic feature internal structure is that earthworms have developed real tissues. The outside of the body is covered with a layer of ectoderm, the cells of which form the integumentary tissue. The skin epithelium is rich in mucous glandular cells.

Muscles

Under the cells of the skin epithelium there is a well-developed muscle, consisting of a layer of circular muscles and a more powerful layer of longitudinal muscles located under it. Powerful longitudinal and circular muscles change the shape of each segment separately.

The earthworm alternately compresses and lengthens them, then expands and shortens them. Wave-like contractions of the body allow not only crawling through the burrow, but also pushing the soil apart, expanding the movement.

Digestive system

The digestive system begins at the front end of the body with the mouth opening, from which food enters sequentially into the pharynx and esophagus (in earthworms, three pairs of calcareous glands flow into it, the lime coming from them into the esophagus serves to neutralize the acids of rotting leaves on which the animals feed). Then the food passes into the enlarged crop and a small muscular stomach (the muscles in its walls help grind the food).

The midgut stretches from the stomach almost to the posterior end of the body, in which, under the action of enzymes, food is digested and absorbed. Undigested remains enter the short hindgut and are thrown out through the anus. Earthworms feed on half-rotted plant remains, which they swallow along with the soil. As it passes through the intestines, the soil mixes well with organic matter. Earthworm excrement contains five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus and eleven times more potassium than regular soil.

Circulatory system

The circulatory system is closed and consists of blood vessels. The dorsal vessel stretches along the entire body above the intestines, and below it is the abdominal vessel.

In each segment they are united by a ring vessel. In the anterior segments, some annular vessels are thickened, their walls contract and pulsate rhythmically, thanks to which blood is driven from the dorsal vessel to the abdominal one.

The red color of blood is due to the presence of hemoglobin in the plasma. It plays the same role as in humans - nutrients dissolved in the blood and spread throughout the body.

Breath

Most annelids, including earthworms, are characterized by cutaneous respiration; almost all gas exchange is provided by the surface of the body, therefore the worms are very sensitive to moist soil and are not found in dry sandy soils, where their skin quickly dries out, and after rains, when in the soil a lot of water, crawling to the surface.

Nervous system

In the anterior segment of the worm there is a peripharyngeal ring - the largest accumulation of nerve cells. The abdominal nerve cord with nodes of nerve cells in each segment begins with it.

This nodular type nervous system was formed by the fusion of nerve cords on the right and left sides of the body. It ensures the independence of the joints and the coordinated functioning of all organs.

Excretory organs

The excretory organs look like thin, loop-shaped, curved tubes, which open at one end into the body cavity and at the other outside. New, simpler funnel-shaped excretory organs - metanephridia - remove harmful substances into external environment as they accumulate.

Reproduction and development

Reproduction occurs only sexually. Earthworms are hermaphrodites. Their reproductive system is located in several segments of the anterior part. The testes lie in front of the ovaries. When mating, the sperm of each of the two worms is transferred to the seminal receptacles (special cavities) of the other. Cross fertilization of worms.

During copulation (mating) and oviposition, girdle cells on the 32-37 segment secrete mucus, which serves to form an egg cocoon, and a protein liquid to nourish the developing embryo. The secretions of the girdle form a kind of mucous coupling (1).

The worm crawls out of it with its back end first, laying eggs in the mucus. The edges of the coupling stick together and a cocoon is formed, which remains in the earthen hole (2). Embryonic development eggs occur in a cocoon, from which young worms emerge (3).

Sense organs

The sense organs are very poorly developed. The earthworm does not have real organs of vision; their role is played by individual light-sensitive cells located in the skin. The receptors for touch, taste, and smell are also located there. Earthworms are capable of regeneration (easily restore the back part).

Germ layers

The germ layers are the basis of all organs. Annelids have ectoderm (outer layer of cells), endoderm (inner layer of cells) and mesoderm ( intermediate layer cells) appear at the beginning of development as three germ layers. They give rise to all major organ systems, including the secondary cavity and the circulatory system.

These same organ systems are subsequently preserved in all higher animals, and they are formed from the same three germ layers. Thus, higher animals in their development repeat the evolutionary development of their ancestors.

Target: Explore external structure earthworm.

Equipment: live earthworms, petri dishes ( disposable cups), tweezers, filter paper, magnifying glasses, onion pieces.

Progress

The stages of laboratory work that students do and record at their workplaces are reproduced on the multimedia board.

1. Examine the body of an earthworm.

Determine the size of the worm's body (length and thickness) using a ruler (bio_2007_053_p,:1.1, 1.2)

The body length of an adult earthworm is usually 15–20 cm.

Determine the segmentation of the body. Find out whether the body is segmented the same throughout the entire body of the worm (BIOLOG_2.5.4.1.1p20_1_dozhd_chyerv_1_u.: hint)

Identical segments.

Determine the shape of the body, find out how the dorsal side of the body differs from the abdominal side.

Convex (dorsal) and flat (ventral)

Determine body color. Find out how the dorsal side of the body differs from the ventral side.

Find the anterior (more pointed, closest to the girdle - thickening at the anterior end of the body) (bio_2007_053_p,:1.3; BIOLOG_2.5.4.1.1p20_1_dozhd_chyerv_1_u.:5.1) and posterior (blunter) ends of the body (bio_2007_053_p,:1.4),

The anterior end of the worm's body with a mouth opening. A small movable lobe in front of the mouth is located on the ventral side of the body. An earthworm has neither eyes nor tentacles.

The posterior end of the worm's body with the anus. belt Determine on which body segments the girdle is located. (bio_2007_053_p,:1.5; BIOLOG_2.5.4.1.1p20_1_dozhd_chyerv_1_u.:5.2)

Glandular thickening of the integument. During reproduction, girdle cells secrete a cocoon substance into which fertilized eggs are placed. Pay attention to the thinnest layer of cuticle, secreted by the skin epithelium and covering the entire body.

2. Pay attention to the skin of the worm. Determine whether it is dry or wet?

3. Gently touch the worm's skin with a piece of filter paper(bio_2007_053_p,:1.6).

The skin epithelium of earthworms is rich in mucous glands. Therefore, their skin is constantly hydrated. It has great importance in breathing, which occurs through the integument of the body when moving in the soil

4. Gently run your finger along the ventral or side of the worm's body from the back to the front end(you will feel the touch of the bristles). Using a magnifying glass, examine the location of the bristles on the body of the worm (BIOLOG_2.5.4.1.1p20_1_dozhd_chyerv_1_u.:5.3).

Each segment of the body, except for the head lobe, bears 8 pairs of setae close together, so that 4 double rows of setae stretch along the body. An earthworm moves by contracting its body. When moving in the soil, an important role is played by the alternating stretching and expansion of the front end of the body, causing the soil particles to move apart. The bristles with which the worm clings to the substrate also play a significant role in the process of movement.

5. What do you think is the significance of such skin and such bristles for the life of a worm in the soil?

6. Watch a worm crawling on paper(listen to see if it rustles with bristles) (bio_2007_053_p,:2.1).

As the worm moves along rough paper, the rustling of the bristles on the paper can be heard. The worm clings to the substrate with its bristles.

7. Watch a worm crawling on glass moistened with water. How does he move(bio_2007_053_p,:2.2)?

When moving on glass (smooth surface), the rustling of the bristles is not heard: the worm does not cling to the smooth substrate with the bristles. The body of the worm is greatly elongated, and alternating muscle contractions are observed along the entire length of the body.

8. Touch different parts of the earthworm's body with the tip of a pencil. What are you observing?

9. Bring a piece of onion to the front end of the worm's body. What are you observing?

Irritability, protective reflex.

10. Draw a conclusion about the structural features and movement of the earthworm in connection with its habitat.

Oligochaete worms have an elongated, segmented body. The surface of the body is constantly moisturized due to the secretion of mucus by the glands of the skin epithelium. This is of great importance for breathing. The movement of oligochaetes occurs due to muscle contractions. But the bristles with which the worm clings to the substrate also play a significant role in the movement of oligochaetes. Well-developed nervous system: they have irritability and protective reflexes.

Homework assignment paragraph 13

Who hasn't seen earthworms? Yes, probably everything. However, many do not even realize what benefits they have brought and are bringing to us; it is very difficult to overestimate. This lengthy article is dedicated to earthworms. The reader can learn for himself about the structure, types, and lifestyle of worms underground. If you know nothing about these animals, then after reading the article your attitude towards them will radically change. At the end of the publication, several videos will be shown for your reference. The text will be accompanied by pictures and photos.

- These are quite large invertebrates, measuring up to 3 meters in length. Green worms that live in Russia belong to the order Haplotaxida (representatives of this order live throughout the Earth, with the exception of Antarctica) and to the family Lumbricidae, which includes about 200 species. About 97 representatives of this family live in Russia. The importance of earthworms for the earth's biosphere is very difficult to overestimate. They eat dead plant tissue and animal waste products, then digest it all and mix the resulting mass with the soil. People have learned to use this feature for their own purposes to obtain the most valuable fertilizer - vermicompost or vermicompost.

These protozoa get their name because when it rains, they crawl out of their holes and stay on the surface of the soil. This happens because rainwater fills their holes and they can’t breathe, so they crawl out to save themselves.

Biohumus is a hydrophilic structure that has the ability to accumulate moisture. That is, when there is not enough water in the soil, humus releases moisture, and when there is excess, it accumulates. The phenomenon of humus secretion by worms can be explained by studying their structure. The fact is that in the intestines of worms, after the breakdown of organic compounds, molecules of humic acids are formed, and they, in turn, come into contact with various mineral compounds.

Earthworms are very important in the formation of fertile soil, a fact noted by Charles Darwin. They dig holes 60-80 centimeters deep, thereby loosening the soil.

Today, people widely use worms for their own purposes. First of all, to obtain vermicompost. Worms are actively used in poultry and livestock farming for feeding. Worms are also widely used by amateur fishermen as good bait.

The structure of earthworms

The structure of earthworms quite simple. The length of individuals that are common in Russia varies from 2 to 30 centimeters. The entire body is divided into segments, there can be from 80 to 300. The earthworm moves with the help of very small bristles, which are located on each segment of the body, with the exception of the very first. There can be from 8 to 20 setae on one segment.

Picture: structure of an earthworm

In the attached picture you can visually observe the structure of the worm. You can determine the front part of the worm, where the mouth is, and the back part, where the anus is located. You can also notice segments.

They are characterized by a closed circulatory system, which is quite well developed. It includes one artery and one vein. The worm breathes thanks to very sensitive skin cells. The skin contains protective mucus, which includes a large number of antiseptic enzymes. The brain is poorly developed. It consists of only two nerve ganglia. It is very common for worms to exhibit the ability to regenerate. For example, if you cut off his tail, after a while it will grow back.

Earthworms are hermaphrodites, each having both male and female reproductive organs. Reproduction occurs through the mating of two individuals. The genital organ of worms is a girdle; in size it occupies several anterior segments. The genital girdle is clearly visible on the body of the worm; it looks like a thickening. In this organ, the cocoon matures, from which small worms hatch after 2-3 weeks.

Types of earthworms

Earthworms that live in our country can be divided into two species, which differ in biological characteristics. The first type includes those worms that feed on the soil surface (litter), and the second type includes those that live and feed in the soil layers (burrow). The first species lives constantly on the soil surface; its representatives do not descend into soil layers that are below 10-20 centimeters.

Representatives of worms that belong to the second type develop their activities exclusively at a depth of 1 or more meters. If necessary, they stick out only the front part of their body from the ground.

The second species, in turn, can be divided into burrowing and burrowing worms. Burrowers live in deep layers of soil, but do not have permanent burrows. And burrow worms constantly live in the same burrows.

Earthworms of litter and burrowing species live exclusively in moist soils, for example, in places near water bodies. Burrowing worms can live in drier soils.

Lifestyle of worms underground

Worms are nocturnal. At this time of day you can observe their most active activity. At night they eat most of the food. Many crawl out to consume food, but rarely get out of their burrows completely - their tails always remain underground. During the day, worms plug their holes with various objects, such as tree leaves. They can drag small particles of food into their burrows.

For reference. The body of worms is very stretched, thanks to numerous segments. In addition, the worms have very tenacious bristles. In this regard, forcibly pulling him out of the mink is a rather difficult undertaking.

They are omnivorous. They have very typical nutrition. First, they swallow a large amount of soil, and then absorb only useful organic substances from it.

Worms are able to digest even small quantities of animal feed, such as meat.

Eating of food occurs in burrows. First, the worm gropes for a tasty morsel from the outside and drags it into its hole, where the meal takes place. In order to capture the food object, the worm attaches itself very strongly to it, then pulls back with all its strength.

Moreover, the worms make a supply of food for themselves. They very carefully put it in their burrows. Worms can also deliberately dig another hole just to store food. They seal such a hole with damp soil and open it only if necessary.

It happens in the following order. First, the soil is swallowed, then the organic substances are digested inside the worm. After this, the worm crawls out and excretes excrement. Moreover, it stores waste products in one specific place. Thus, before entering the hole, a kind of pile of worm excrement is formed.

Life of worms

Life of earthworms has very long history. They played a huge role in soil formation. It is thanks to them that we see the earth as it is today.

Worms are constantly engaged in digging activities, as a result of which the layer of earth is always in motion. Worms have a very large appetite. In just one day, he can eat a volume of food that is comparable in weight to him, that is, 3-5 grams.

As a result of their activity, worms contribute to the best growth of plants. Let's not even take into account the fertilizer they produce. Worms loosen the soil and facilitate better penetration of oxygen and water into it. Plant roots grow much better in worm holes.

As a result of constant loosening of the soil, large objects gradually sink deeper into the earth. Small foreign particles are gradually ground into the stomachs of worms and turn into sand.

Unfortunately, the number of earthworms in our country is declining. This is facilitated by the inappropriate use of chemicals to “fertilize” the soil. To date, 11 species of earthworms have already been included in the Red Book of Russia. Why use chemicals to fertilize the soil when there is such a miracle of nature as vermicompost?!

The role of earthworms in nature very large and unlikely to be overestimated. Worms play a huge role in the decomposition of organic matter. enrich the soil the most valuable fertilizer - humus. They can serve as an indicator: if there are a lot of them in the soil, then the land is fertile.

A complete understanding of the role of earthworms came to humans relatively recently. Until this point, they mainly resorted to the use of chemical mineral fertilizers, which destroyed the soil and all life in it. Unfortunately, many modern farmers are also in this misconception. Biohumus or vermicompost is a real magic wand for the soil. It contains very large amounts of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen - substances that are primarily necessary for plant growth.

We've gone a little off topic. In wildlife, worms stay in places where there is a large amount of organic waste. IN good example You can bring the forest. When the leaves fall in the fall, they will need to go somewhere. Soil bacteria and, of course, earthworms will come to the rescue here. Immediately after the leaves fall, soil bacteria will get to work and decompose it to the compost stage. Then the worms will get to work and process the compost to the vermicompost stage and add this valuable fertilizer to the soil. In principle, this is how soil formation occurs.

The benefits of earthworms

During times Soviet Union In the Russian expanses, chemical mineral fertilizers have begun to be actively used, which over time destroy entire layers of soil. Today we have just come to the moment when the soil begins to rapidly collapse. Chernozem soils no longer give such good results as before. Unscrupulous farmers who think only about their income use fertilizers that are dangerous to the soil on their plots of land, thereby destroying it. But soil restoration takes a very long period of time, about 1 centimeter per 100 years.

The benefits of earthworms consists in the rapid restoration of the earth from chemical burns and other adverse effects. restore the very structure of the soil through the introduction and distribution of vermicompost. Even if the land does not need restoration, adding vermicompost to it will in any case be beneficial. It is impossible to contaminate chernozem or burn it with humus, unlike any other fertilizer. This is due to the fact that vermicompost has a very similar structure to chernozem. You can even say that humus is concentrated black soil.

With the help of worms you can bring great benefits to your vegetable garden, orchard or small household plot. To do this, you just need to learn how to breed worms yourself, and this is very easy to do. It is enough to dig a hole in the garden and put all organic waste there. Over time, the worms will appear there themselves. There is another option - buy worms. You can also breed worms in separate boxes. As organic waste is eaten, the resulting vermicompost must be collected and scattered around the site.

Worms significantly improve the structure of the soil, improve water exchange and water exchange in it. In the garden or garden it is necessary to create all the conditions for the development of worms. The most rational way would be to build a special box in which you can put all the weeds and other organic waste in the summer. Next year, if there are a large number of worms, you can already get ready-made fertilizer from this box, which can be used in different ways (see photo below). Some advise simply scattering it around the area, others bury it, and still others even prepare it based on it. liquid fertilizer. In general, there are many ways to use it.

Earthworms - Vermiculture

A fairly large number of farmers and ordinary people who have their own household plots are engaged in breeding earthworms for the purpose of obtaining vermicompost. And this trend is not encouraging. Vermiculture may soon replace harmful chemical fertilizers.

Breeding worms can also be considered a good business idea. At minimal cost, you can get the most valuable fertilizer and sell it for good money. It is especially beneficial to engage in this business for those who have poultry or farm animals and do not know what to do with their waste products. The droppings of farm animals are excellent food for worms, which turns into vermicompost.

In this part of the article, one cannot fail to mention the type of worm that is the most productive - the Californian one. California worms were bred in 1959 in the USA. These earthworms are the most commonly used in this area due to their enormous productivity. The Californian worm lives as long as a regular one, but its reproduction rate is 100 times higher, and its lifespan is 4 times longer. However, they will have to provide certain conditions of detention.

Before introducing worms into the substrate, it must be prepared. It needs to turn into compost. It is most convenient to use ordinary metal barrels with a volume of 200 liters.

At home, you can breed worms in various containers. A wooden box with small holes to drain excess water at the bottom is best suited for these purposes; the substrate is placed there and the worms are released. In one summer, a box of organic waste can be turned into vermicompost. See photo:

Compost is placed here, and non-composted organic waste can be placed on top

You can use boxes of a different design, for example plastic ones, in which fruits and vegetables are transported:

The disadvantage of a plastic box is that the holes in the bottom are too large, through which the worm can escape.

Earthworms video

“The appetizing fruits and vegetables you see are not fakes. These beautiful fruits are real, and most importantly, environmentally friendly. And all this is due to the fact that they were obtained using an amazing fertilizer - vermicompost.” In this video we will talk about earthworms of the “prospector” breed. The video is very useful and educational.

This video was shown on television, this is the Galileo program. The report was prepared about earthworms.

To enlarge an image, simply click on it.

After a long time scientific research and zoological work it was possible to determine interesting fact: an ordinary earthworm plays a very important role in the decomposition of organic substances that fall into the soil, enriching it with humus and other important elements feeding vegetation rising from deep layers with the root system.

These are the animals occupy a leading position along with the most important soil helpers, and a worthy alternative for the earthworm has not yet been found. If there are colonies of these eukaryotes in the soil, fertility indicators will be maximum, since they directly depend on the volume of organic substances that enter the soil.

It is very difficult to overestimate the role of the earthworm for the ecosystem. Such a tiny creature enriches the soil with all useful elements, making it fertile and healthy. Few people know about this, but the life and existence of the human race is strongly connected with the activities of these animals. Their disappearance would have fatal consequences, including mass death people due to hunger.

Earthworm: main characteristics

An earthworm or earthworm is a segmented worm with a tubular shape. The animal is found on all continents globe, in places with an abundant supply of moisture and organic matter. Life expectancy reaches 4-8 years and is determined by the type of specific inhabitants. Some of them can live up to ten years. Interesting feature structure is digestive system, which runs along the entire length of the body. In this case, food is digested by moving a set of muscles.

Small earthworm has central and peripheral nervous system . He can also breathe through his skin. This creature's body is filled with slimy fluid and acts as a hydrostatic skeleton. Any cartilage and connective tissues are missing. The presence of circular and longitudinal muscles allows the animal to move normally from one place to another.

It is important to note that due to the unique body structure of the earthworm, it is often called the most mysterious creature on the planet. He lacks eyes, ears and even lungs. But the animal has several hearts. At the same time, the mucous liquid has an unpleasant taste, so predators do not consume it as food.

Varieties of earthworm

Group of earthworms consists of many subspecies and families. Currently, more than two thousand species can be identified that are found in all regions of our globe. 40 of them live on the European continent. The most popular are two main types: the common earthworm and the dung worm. Let's look at the detailed characteristics of both varieties.

Earthworms may vary and biological properties, such as type of nutrition and habitat in the soil. For this reason, scientists distinguish two main varieties:

1. worms that live on the surface of the soil;
2. worms that dig deep holes and make homes inside the soil.

Life cycle of earthworms

If we highlight the main features of the life cycle of an earthworm, they will be divided into four stages:

As mentioned above, the role of worms in nature is colossal. For this reason, these animals are now being bred and popularized to improve the fertility of vegetable gardens. The abundance of such invertebrates in the soil leads to the successful cultivation of various plant crops. Also worms are important for gardeners, which is why they are often called “the first agricultural technicians.” And this is explained by a simple fact: the more worms in the soil, the better the garden trees will develop.

But what is the impact of such creatures on the ground? First of all, they solve a lot of problems of loosening the soil, improving its structure and increasing fertility. As a result, the gardener is relieved of a lot of additional worries.

In addition, as animals move through the garden, they dig deep tunnels that ensure a stable flow of air through the seeds and roots of plants. This behavior allows us to call worms invisible tiny plowmen. It is also important to note that invertebrates protect vegetation from numerous diseases and pests. They produce stable humus by eating organic matter, including rotten leaves, dirt and grass clippings.

During the digestion of food the worm excretes a large amount of organic excrement, which contains elements such as:

• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• nitrogen;
• magnesium.

Therefore, if you come across a colony of earthworms in your garden or vegetable garden, the question “is this inhabitant useful for the local ecosystem” should automatically disappear.

Interesting fact: The famous scientist Charles Darwin, who proposed the theory of natural selection, paid great attention to the study of the life cycle of earthworms. Over the course of 40 years of his life, he conducted various experiments and studies with these spineless creatures, as a result of which a book was born entitled “The formation of the vegetable layer of the earth by the activity of earthworms and observations on their way of life.”

How to increase the earthworm content in the garden. Home breeding

There are many ways to improve soil fertility in a vegetable garden or garden by promoting invertebrates. Experienced gardeners use various organic substances for this purpose. Periodic mulching of the soil also helps. Humus, fallen leaves, manure, compost and other similar materials are placed on the surface layer of soil.

In addition, many gardeners breed worms at home. It is important to note that such an activity does not require any special effort or investment. It is enough to provide optimal access to food, proper humidity, darkness and free space. Successful organization of a worm house can be carried out in the spring or early summer, since during this period the temperature range remains optimal. The worms will have time to multiply and become strong before the onset of winter. So, now directly about breeding worms in the garden.

The worm house is a special structure in which representatives of the spineless will live and develop. You can use absolutely any container as it - boxes, troughs, an old bathtub, etc. For successful cultivation, it is recommended to carry out the procedure on open compost. But it is important to protect the selected area with a special net to prevent massive consumption of worms by birds and other animals.

In order for the care and maintenance of these little plowmen to be as effective as possible, you need to put compost on the bottom of the future house (the optimal layer is 40 centimeters thick) and thoroughly treat it with warm liquid. After this, you need to arrange a straw bedding and wait 5-6 days for complete absorption. That's all, the home can be considered ready to move in.

Finding earthworms for your upcoming stocking is easy. To do this, it is enough to dig up a small layer of soil in your own garden or garden. Individuals that appear on the top layer of soil after heavy rain take root particularly well. You can also buy worms at the appropriate store.

The settlement process can be divided into several stages. First you need to dig a small hole in the center of your home and throw a bucket of worms there. After this, they can be covered on top with straw or burlap. The first results of successful settlement will be noticeable within seven days. You need to periodically monitor the creatures and their behavior in their new habitat. If animals lead an active lifestyle, it means they have settled in well and everything is fine with them.

In order for the little ones to quickly adapt to new conditions, start feeding them only 3-4 weeks after moving in. But warm water needs to be added to the worm trap at least 2 times a week.

Earthworm Care

Asking the question “how long do they live? earthworms", it is important to pay attention to the correct care and the conditions created. In order for animals to develop normally and fulfill their reproductive duties, they need to be provided with relative coolness, shade and a balanced food supply. Experienced experts advise adding a small amount of sand or crushed eggshells to compost manure. Once every 14 days it is necessary to add food to the ground. But under no circumstances should you overfeed animals.

If you are going to breed worms at home, you should know that these creatures are capable of processing almost any organic product. The main thing is that they are crushed, since animals do not have teeth.

It should be noted that before replenishing the worm cage with fresh food, you must make sure that the previous supply is completely eaten. Otherwise, the spineless ones will become oversaturated and soon die. If they remain in the compost organic compounds, acidity levels can rapidly increase, causing deadly conditions to be created in the soil. Also, excess feed leads to the proliferation of dangerous pests, including mites.