Not all earthworms are good for vermicomposting!
Out of the 7000-9000 known species of earthworms only about 7 are suitable for vermicomposting in captivity. The most common worm for composting in the US is the Red Wiggler. They are tolerant in the widest temperature ranges, reproducing and processing organic waste well between 55°F-90°F.
Introduction to worms
Introduction to the Red Wiggler
The red wiggler (binomial name: eisenia fetida) is the world’s most common composting worm. As a member of the epigeic class of composting worms, red wigglers generally will not be found in soil. Rather, they thrive in and under leaf litter, manure, decomposing vegetation, and other organic matter.
Red wigglers are less commonly referred to as tiger worms, brandling worms, manure worms, panfish worms, and trout worms.
Anatomy
The anatomy of a red wiggler resembles that of other common earthworms; a long-segmented body begins at the pointed head and ends at a slightly-flatted tail.
A fleshy band called a clitellum features prominently on the body of the red wiggler at roughly 1/3rd of the length of the worm. The size of their Clitellum makes them unique because other composting worms do not have theirs as prominent.
Red wiggler worms measure up to 3-4 inches in length when at full stretch.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Red wigglers, like all earthworms, are hermaphroditic, simultaneously possessing both male and female sex organs, both of which are used in the reproduction process.
Two worms of the same species will intertwine around each other’s clitella, secreting sperm through their skin, eventually producing a cocoon. This cocoon will normally yield 3 worms and each pair of worms will produce 1-3 cocoons per week.
Cocoons are about 1/8th inch wide and starts as a yellowish color and progressively darkens until it hatches 21 days later. After 42 days, these baby worms will reach sexual maturity as evidenced by the emergence of the clitellum.
A mature red wiggler can be expected to live between one to three years.