Earthworms!

Aporrectodea longa

Earthworms are in the sub class Oligochaeta. Oli- (as with oligopoly) is from the Greek 'oligoi' meaning 'few' and chaeta- like 'saeta' is from the Latin for 'bristle'.
Oligochaetes are from the Annelid phyla and comprise of segmented worm like organisms that are covered in small sparse bristles. They use these bristles to create increased friction and traction against the substrate in which they live to aid with movement.

There are 27 native species to the UK with a few exotic species having been introduced by mistake. I think the one pictured above is called the black-headed worm Aporrectodea longa, because of its distinct dark colouration and relatively large size.

You may know of earthworms as being a 'good' sight in gardens and allotments. This is because they aerate the soil through the tunnels they create, allowing plant root systems to penetrate and anchor into the soil well. The spaces can also fill with water aiding in the mineralisation process making important nutrients available to plants. Added to this, earthworms partially digest living and dead plant matter and mix it in with the soil creating a nutrient rich substance known as humus. This humus is so nutritionally valuable to plants that it has led to its cultivation by humans in the form of vermiculture or vermicompost.


At home we would farm the worms by filling a large container filled with decaying matter; the worms would thrive, digesting the material and reproducing. Once all organic matter had been digested to a rich compost we would pour water over the top surface and tap out the nutrient rich liquid from the bottom. This liquid, known as 'tea' was then used as organic fertilizer by being poured over crops.

Regards,

Elleni - East African Student Ambassador