Lumbricus rubellus

The Red Forest earthworm ( Lumbricus rubellus ) found in humus-rich soils

The Red Forest earthworm ( Lumbricus rubellus, syn. Allolobophora relictus (Southern, 1909) ), also Rotwurm or Red foliage eaters, is a close relative of the common earthworm or Tauwurms and is often found under fallen leaves, in old tree stumps and in humus-rich soils.

The Red Forest earthworm has a length of 60 to 150 mm, 4-6 mm wide and has about 100 segments. The clitellum extends from 26 to 32 segment. The color is reddish brown, red to red-violet, the body becoming paler end. The original home is Europe, the animal was, however, by the people abducted ( by planting soil or as a bait worm for example ) over the whole world.

Way of life

Just as the compost worm ( Eisenia fetida ) is the Red Forest earthworm is able to digest relatively undecomposed organic material of vegetable origin and is therefore particularly near the surface under leaf litter or other waste. In contrast to the compost worm gears he can build in the soil and penetrate into deeper layers. Frequently it is found in the root zone ( rhizosphere ) of plants. The preferred pH value is in the range of 3.0 to 7.7. The Red Forest earthworm is relatively frost tolerant. Like other species of Lumbricus rubellus L. has a high calcium requirement and therefore preferred calcareous soils or waste materials.

Dissemination and use

The Red Forest earthworm was Introduced to Canada, among others, in the United States, Chile and Australia. The Red Forest earthworm has there only little or no economic importance. He is, however, used as bait worm by anglers, especially in North America. Unused worms are usually distributed on the ground, allowing them to spread over wide areas. Therefore can be found in North American populations, particularly high in the vicinity of lakes. The Red Forest earthworm contributes as a soil fertility of agricultural land. Also known as " compost worm ' L. rubellus is considered very useful in the commercial but is preferably Eisenia fetida. In Indonesia and China L. rubellus is grown alongside other worm species and converted to protein powders and sold as a dietary supplement or as a medicine. Because of the high content of amino acids, prepared from the contained proteins, the worm is also suitable for the production of high-quality animal and fish feed.