While earthworms contribute fertility to our farms and gardens, most, including nightcrawlers, are non-native species. Anecic worms play a central role in the decomposition of leaf litter, and soil formation, wherever they are found. Anecic worms, also known as nightcrawlers, come to the surface at night to drag leaves and other organic matter into their deep and permanent vertical burrows. They have little effect on surface litter, but prefer soils rich in organic matter, where they may play a role in decomposition of dead plant roots and in aeration. Endogeic worms live within the soil, build lateral burrows, and are the only worms that eat large quantities of soil. They have a high rate of reproduction, useful to anyone starting a worm composting system. Epigeic worms, which include the common red wiggler used in compost bins, live on the surface of the earth, and eat rotting organic matter. Earthworms can be divided into three groups. While most earthworms feed on plant material and ingest soil in the process, some thrive on an earthier diet. An important agent of decomposition, earthworms are the ultimate recyclers. Gardeners now hold earthworms in high regard, but even so, few of us understand the full scope of their role, not only in the garden, but in field and forest as well. How pleased Darwin would be to see their status today! Until the publication of his book, The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, in 1881, earthworms were not deemed worthy of scientific attention. At the time that he was lying on his belly watching towers of castings forming on the flat surface of a pasture, worms were generally regarded as a pest. Darwin studied earthworms for almost forty years, from shortly after he quit the Beagle, until near the end of his long life. Orchids, carnivorous plants, barnacles, and coral reefs all fell under his encompassing scrutiny, but the subject of his greatest interest, other than natural selection, may well have been earthworms. Darwin is best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, but he studied many natural history subjects in depth. On the occasion of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, it seems fitting to learn about one of the gardener’s most important allies the earthworm. Illus: Craig Latker From Wrigglers to Nightcrawlers
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