Eudrilus eugeniae

Eudrilus eugeniae is a species of earthworm native to tropical west Africa and now widespread in warm regions, both wild and under vermicompost, also called the African night crawler.^[1]

Growth

Fecundity, growth, maturation and biomass production were all significantly greater at 25 °C than 15°, 20°or 30°. {25 °C = 77 °F}

The growth of individual earthworms increased the lower the population density, but the greatest overall earthworm biomass production occurs at the highest population density.

The greatest number of cocoons per week and the number of hatchlings per cocoon are obtained at 25 °C. Cocoons of E. eugeniae hatched in only 12 days at 25 °C, the earthworms at these temperatures reached sexual maturity in as little as 35 days after hatching.

Life cycle

Throughout its life cycle, E. eugeniae grew much more rapidly than Eisenia fetida, in similar environmental conditions. The West-African nightcrawler grows well at a temperature of 24-30 °C (75-86 °F). Maximum weight 2.5 grams occurs within 8–10 weeks.

The African nightcrawler has a uniform purple-grey sheen and the posterior segments are evenly tapered to a point. The segments of the Brandling worm (Eisenia fetida) alternate reddish-orange and brown; the posterior segments do not taper, and the final segment is blunt.

References