Earthworm collecting seeds

This is a timelapse video of the common nightcrawler earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) gathering seeds of giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). For more info., see "Impact of an exotic earthworm on seed dispersal of an indigenous U.S. weed," 2008. Journal of Applied Ecology 45:1621-1629. The soundtrack is Chopin's Mazurka Opus 7, No. 4 in A-flat.

One Month Birthday Party - 13th!

Preparing for the birthday party! This week the worms will be one month old - that is - one month since they arrived (April 13, 2010) . . . now I know why I keep the worms safe inside . . .


HAPPY BIRTHDAY WORMS!

Charles Darwin - an earthworm scientist

Charles Darwin was one of the earliest, and the most thorough, researchers to study the ways of the earthworm and its effect on the soil. His book, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms, with Observations on Their Habits, published in 1881. (public domain book from the Classic Literature Library)


Charles Darwin as an earthworm scientist: caricature, from the Journal Punch, published in the year 1882.

Earthworms – Surprising Partners in the Creation of Fertile Soils, Tilth Producers Quarterly, A Journal of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, V.8, no 1 & 2, 1982.

see also: GeoLog Blog – Charles Darwin & the Natural History of ... worms

Darwin did experiments to determine what senses earthworms possessed.

In one of these experiments, he put a pot of earthworms near the family piano and struck a note (Darwin even tells us which note). The worms did not respond. He repeated the experiment with the pot placed on the piano, which did engender a response and revealed how earthworms sense sound through vibrations.

Worms dancing

Seems like the worms are all trying to capture the spotlight - first there was music, then art, and now dancing - led by Bernie, and help from Goofy Oofy, Paja Gus, Lala Goopa and a few un-named:

Worms making art

Meet the leader Bygalooga, and others: Flower, Crawly Creepers, Growey Joey and Sneaky Joe. When they heard about worms making music, they knew it was time to make their mark (so to speak) in the world of art:

Comparing Earthworms and Red Wigglers

When I share with people that I have worms (vermiculture) in my storage bin at the Condo - I often get excited questioning such as:
- What will I do with them? Won't they multiply?
- Why did I decide to do worms?
- When will I take some to the garden?

My short answers are the worms in the storage bin are not suited for hot or cold temps, thus they will likely not go to the garden, they are multiplying (I now see little wigglers), and I am doing worms to manage food waste, and to get the castings/castings for the garden.

The more expansive explanation of worms and differences in worms is:


"Earthworm" is a generic term that refers to any annelid (segmented worm) that burrows into soil and is a member of the class Oligochaeta. The ‘Red Wiggler’ is a type of earthworm that is used in compost bins or as bait for fish. Both produce organic fertilizers. If you want to start a worm composting system in your home, it would be more advisable for you to use red wiggler worms instead of burrowing earthworms.


Worms in the soil
Burrowing earthworms eliminate the dead organic material found on the surface of the soil and enrich the topsoil in the process. Worms take the highly improved residue from the top and move it underground. Here, at the roots of plants, both the health of the soil and plant health are improved, and in the process, earthworms loosen heavy soils (improving aeration), increase water retention and enhance the soil's fertility.

Red wigglers on the other hand are more aggressive when compared to earthworms. A difference is red wigglers remain near the surface of the soil while the earthworms reside at the deeper levels of the soil.

Red wigglers are often found in decomposing animal manure, rotting leaf moulds and other organic materials found on top of the soil. Red wiggler worms are considered more aggressive than burrowing earthworms because they accelerate the natural composting process by consuming large chunks of organic matter and spreading their wastes (or red wriggler castings) as organic fertilizers. Castings from red wigglers are especially good for plants as they provide nutrients, minerals, plant hormones and enzymes for the plants to absorb. Castings also improve microbial activity in the soil for additional plant benefits.

Worms Making Music!

Sunny Jim, Dirty Dirt, Bygalooga and Flower were spotted in the corner of the worm home – making a medley of sounds – a ruckus of sorts, or on closer examination, I believe they were making music.

Hard for worms to make music you think? That was my early thinking as well, but seeing was believing.




Additional research confirms
Journal of the UCL Nurrish Lab Cell Biology Unit / Welcome Trust Project
Music from the Worm Farm: Neurobiology meets new music

Can worm brains tell us something about our own? Can music be inspired by worm research ...