A Worm Bin Habitat

Vermicomposting The controlled decomposition of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms and concentrations of earthworms “vermi” means worms

Earthworm Requirements Moisture Oxygen Decaying organic matter Darkness Temperatures we like

About Worms There are more than 7,000 species of worms, and 4,400 named species of earthworms Worms are categorized by the way they inhabit the soil.

Worm Habitats Epigeic * Anecic Endogeic

Anecic worms Known as nighcrawlers Build and live in deep permanent burrows Cycle huge amounts of organic matter deep into soil (like a natural AERATOR) Feed on dead or organic matter they pull into their burrows Effect soil porosity, water penetration, and plant growth Low reproduction rates Slow decomposers Will not reproduce in a bin.

Endogeic worms Live in the top 12 inches of soil Create extensive, temporary, horizontal channels to move through in upper layers of soil Aerate and mix soil (like a natural rototiller) Feed on mineral soil

Epigeic worms Prefer plant litter, live in forest duff, loose topsoil layer Build no permanent burrows Reproduce rapidly Non-migratory species Eisenia fetida ( Red wiggler, Tiger worm, Manure worm, Fish worm, Ver du fumier)

Earthworm Classification Kingdon: Animalia Phylum – Annelida (from latin meaning “rings”) Class – Clitellata Order: Haplotaxida Family – Lumbricidae Genus – Eisenia Species – fetida (also foetida) This species is commonly found in moist manure and organic matter. Example of such environments include compost heaps and cowpats, forests, gardens, and under stones, leaves, logs and roadside dumps. This species is usually found in close proximity to human habitation and is used for home composting and fish bait.

What Will Your Worms Eat? Worms like to eat decaying organic matter. Worms eat ½ their weight per day. One pound of worms will eat ½ pound of food per day.

Worm Biology Segmented animal 80-120 body segments Segments separated by septa Born with all their segments Each segment contains digestive, excretory, circulatory and locomotor (movement) organs Basically, worms are one big intestine.

Photoreceptors Worms have no eyes but can tell the difference between light and dark. Worms are photophobic 30 minutes of UV exposure is toxic “photo” means light “receptor” means to respond to a stimulus “phobic” means an intense fear of, causing distress

Respiration Worms breathe through their skin Oxygen dissolves in mucous coating the skin Dissolved oxygen passes through the skin and the capillaries lacing the skin Picked up by hemoglobin in the worm blood Distributed by the cardiovascular system

Moisture and Oxygen A worm body is 70-90% water But too much moisture, present as standing water in the bin, can reduce available oxygen and create anaerobic conditions Worms can drown! Remember that they breathe through their skin. Worms need air pockets in the soil and air holes in the bin. The material should be like “a damp sponge.”

Movement Hydrostatic (water under pressure) Circular muscles contract and elongate Setae are external paired bristles located on each segment

Sensing the environment Senses “odor” Senses humidity Senses pressure Senses vibration Senses temperature Consider where you put your worms! A worm can hear a Robin, or other bird, hopping on the surface of the ground. Vibrations can literally scare a worm to death if they think it is a predator.

Earthworms have 5 “hearts” 5 aortic arches are located behind the ganglion (brain) and mouth, which are wrapped around the esophagus. Between each aortic arch is a gland to help absorb food and digest calcium from the soil.

Temperature requirements Tolerances 40° - 80° F (4-27 C) Ideal 68° - 77° F (20-25 C) The temperature relates to the moisture level and productivity level. Worms will most effectively process organic matter within the ideal temperature range.

How Does Your Worm Eat? Worms have no teeth – a flap of skin called a prostomium forms the mouth Food moves down the crop where it is store Food moves to the gizzard where it is ground up Gizzard, like a bird, requires grit to breakdown food (coffee grounds, egg shells) Food moves out of the worm creating castings (OK, it’s worm poop!)

Eating and digestion What does a worm eat? Protozoa Fungi Algae Bacteria

Reproduction Hermaphrodite Mate to exchange sperm, which is deposited on the surface skin and moves to a pore – each worm then excretes its own egg and a mucus band forms – as they back out of the band it closes to form a cocoon. Fertilization takes place inside cocoon Average 3 babies per cocoon Time to emergence 30-75 days

The clitellum The clitellum is at the “head” end, and is where cocoons emerge from.

The Finished Product Worm castings-the manure of the earthworm Use 2 tablespoons per 4” pots ¼ -1/2 cup for one gallon transplants Dig holes around plants and fill with castings

Environmental Application Post-harvest vegetable solid waste Urban soil waste Bio-stabilization of sludge (distillery) Nutrient recovery from industrial sludge Biodegradable organic waste