Red californian earth worm


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eisenia fetida (older spelling: foetida), known under various common names such as, brandling worm, tiger worm and red wiggler worm, red californian earth worm, is a species of earthworm adapted to decaying organic material. These worms thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure; they are epigeal. They are rarely found in soil, instead preferring conditions that are inimical to some other worms. In this trait they resemble the Lumbricus rubellus.

When roughly handled, an eisenia fetida exudes a pungent liquid, thus the specific name foetida meaning foul-smelling. This is presumably an antipredator adaptation.

Eisenia fetida is closely related to Eisenia andrei, also referred to as E. foetida andrei. The only simple way of distinguishing the two species is that E. foetida is lighter in colour. Molecular analyses have confirmed their identity as separate species and breeding experiments have shown that they do not produce hybrids.


To place an order please contact us:


Leave a Reply


