Surface movements on moist, flat terrain were reported at a speed of 20 m/h and, based on measurements of the length of the trail, nocturnal activity away from the burrow was estimated at up to 19 m during a single surface foray. Setae – tiny hair-like projections – provide leverage against the surrounding soil. The worm has a hydrostatic skeleton and moves by longitudinal and circular muscular contractions. Head end dark brown to reddish brown lateral, dorsal pigmentation fading towards the back. The body is cylindrical in the cross section, except for the broad, flattened posterior section. Lumbricus terrestris is relatively large, pinkish to reddish-brown in colour, generally 110–200 millimetres (4.3–7.9 in) in length and about 7–10 millimetres (0.28–0.39 in) in diameter. For example, through much of the unirrigated temperate areas of the world, the "common earthworm" is actually Aporrectodea (= Allolobophora) trapezoides, which in those areas is a similar size and dark color to L. However, 'earthworm' can be a source of confusion since, in most of the world, other species are more typical.
It is also used as the example earthworm for millions of biology students around the world, even in areas where the species does not exist. In the rest of the world, many references are just to the scientific name, though with occasional reference to the above names.Īlthough this is not the most abundant earthworm, even in its native range, it is a very conspicuous and familiar earthworm species in garden and agricultural soils of the temperate zone, and is frequently seen on the surface, unlike most other earthworms. In several Germanic languages, it is called variants of "rain worm", for example in German Gemeiner Regenwurm ("common rain worm") or in Danish Stor regnorm ("large rain worm"). In Canada, it is also called the dew worm, or "Grandaddy Earthworm". In North America, the term nightcrawler (or vitalis) is also used. In Britain, it is primarily called the common earthworm or lob worm (though the name is also applied to a marine polychaete). terrestris goes under a variety of common names. Through much of Europe, it is the largest naturally occurring species of earthworm, typically reaching 20 to 25 cm in length when extended.īecause it is widely known, L.
In some areas where it is an introduced species, some people consider it to be a significant pest for out-competing native worms. Lumbricus terrestris is a large, reddish worm species thought to be native to Western Europe, now widely distributed around the world (along with several other lumbricids).
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