Bug Identifier
Earthworm
Community identification

Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Order & Family
Order: Crassiclitellata, Family: Lumbricidae
Size
7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in length, though some species can grow larger.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, organic-rich soil, gardens, compost heaps, and under rocks or logs.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivore; consumes decaying plant matter, organic leaf litter, micro-organisms, and soil nutrients.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal surface feeders that burrow underground during the day. They aerate soil by creating tunnels and reproduce hermaphroditically.

Risks & Benefits

Extremely beneficial to ecosystems and gardens as soil aerators and nutrient recyclers. Pose no harm or risk to humans.