Worm Anatomy•
on December 4th, 2009•
For a really basic explanation on how worms breed: lets start with the “capsule”
The capsule (or egg) lies in the soil for approximately two to three weeks. After this time the self sufficient baby worms (threads) are hatched. Each capsule contains approximately 2 to 20 threads.
60 – 90 days later the mature worms are ready to breed. Mature worms are recognised by their swollen clitellum, which is approximately 1/3rd of their body length back from their mouth.
Two mature worms then mate. Earthworms are hermaphrodites and need another mature worm to mate with before they can perform both the male and female functions.
They twist and turn, for up to 24 hours, and bring their clitellums into contact. Then each male cell exchanges sperm to fertilise.
Mucous is then secreted to cover the clitellum in a band which forces the sperm and eggs together. Now that the fertalised band has formed, each worm wriggles backwards forcing the fertile band over their heads to form a capsule.
Worm Anatomy•
on December 3rd, 2009•
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, once defined worms as:
“The intestines of the soil”
This isn’t far off the mark.
Basically an earthworm is a large digestive, muscular tube that tunnels it’s way through the soil, consuming at one end and depositing at the other.
Each worm consists of:
- A mouth, but no teeth.
- A throat, but no ears or eyes.
- A capillary system located under the worm’s skin, which acts as the worm’s lungs.
- Setae, which are small spines that are projected from the body wall by muscles and act as anchors. These also play a role in reproduction.
- A heavy-duty digestive system, in which enormous quantities of beneficial organisms are incubated and deposited into the soil with the castings.
- Has 5 pairs of hearts, but no backbone.
- A body consisting of 200-400 muscular rings.
- Kidney type organs called nephridia.
- A brain. (Experiments have shown the removal of the brain causes only slight locomotive change. Both worms with a brain, and those without, perform at essentially the same rates. – Miriam – F. Bennett)
- Clitellum- which is associated with the formation of cocoons and is a glandular portion of the epidermis,
- Varying kinds of pores. These are used for reproduction and excretory purposes.
- A body cavity that is filled with fluid.
- Nerves, muscles, and cells.
- Calciferous glands for neutralising food.
- A crop and gizzard containing stones for grinding up their food.
Worm Farm Benefits•
on December 2nd, 2009•
There are also financial benefits to consider with worm farms.
Fertiliser costs can be greatly reduced as there will be a fresh supply of worm juice (liquid fertiliser) each week, as well as a bathtub full of castings every few months from having a worm farm.
There will be no need to get into the family car, drive to the hardware shop, purchase supplies and drive home again
Worm castings not only provide a fertiliser but can also be used in potting and garden mixes.
Poultry can also enjoy the nutritious benefits of worms. If stocks are large enough the possibility of reduction in feed costs could also be looked at.
By having a worm farm, not only will you be creating a living ecosystem but you will also be creating a thread of self-sufficiency for you and your family.
By doing this you will be helping to reduce:
- Transport, packaging and labour energy required to pack and ship fertilisers etc.
- Therefore less plastic is being produced to bag these items:
- Less cardboard is being produced to package,
- Less truck, boat, plane emissions to transport,
- Less green house gases,
And less collective energy is being wasted to create, in most cases, an inorganic chemical.
And after all of that, don’t forget one of the biggest benefits in creating a worm farm, the element of FUN!
Not only will you be helping the environment but you’ll also be helping yourself!
Over 30% of all household rubbish is “green” waste (organic matter) that can be composted and re-used for a productive purpose.
Instead in most cases, it’s hauled away to refuse stations, at the householder’s expense and thrown into landfill where it decomposes, releasing:
- Atmospheric pollutants (methane and other toxic gases).
- Groundwater pollutants (via leeching into artesian basins).
- Surface pollutants, which in turn increases the amount/risk of pest and disease outbreaks.