A worm is a worm ( or is it ? )

HOME
PAGE.

Birth of a worm :
When the capsule encounters the right conditions,
Wet and warm, with plenty of food around, then the young worm(s) will emerge from the capsule.

From L to R  show 5 stages of the emergence of one
worm.

How do worms multiply ?
As worms are BISEXUAL,  they can fertilise themselves, as well as other worms.
They will not interbreed with other types of worms, in other words, Eisenia Fetida worms will always mate with Eisenia Fetida worms, and no other breed of worm.
See below an image of two worms breeding.
The two worms will go end to tail with each other, and a compound will be secreted, to enable the sperm from the one to transfer to the other.
The sperm will be held in a special compartment in the worm, until needed.
About two to three times a week, the mature worm will form a thickening at an area about a third of it's length
from the head, and after a few hours this will travel along to the head,  passing the sperm reservoir, and young worms will be created.
The young worms are then shed over the head and become a capsule.

Depending on the age of a capsule, they can stay viable for more than 12 months, and there can be up to
25 young worms in the capsule.
The usual number is 1 to 5.
As the capsule ages, the young worms inside will feed on each other, until there is only one left to emerge.
You can have a look under the microscope at a capsule, and you will be able to see the young worms.

Warning : Do NOT touch the capsules with your hands, as the oils on your skin will kill the young worms
inside the capsule.
If you have to handle the capsules, do so with rubber or plastic gloves, better still, use a pair of tweezers,
                                                                                                                            gently does it,  naturally !!

Two worms joined together, passing sperm to each other.
It is inadvisable to separate them while they are joined.
Also, try not to disturb them too long while observing them.
The light will encourage them to go under