What are blue worms called?

Asked by: Nicole Starkey

Perionyx excavatus or blue worms are more common than most vermicomposters realize. Commonly called “Indian blues” or “Malaysian blues” these worms bring out very negative feelings for some. Blues are considered a pest worm in most of North America but are used in more tropical regions of the world for vermicomposting.

What kind of worm is blue?

Blue worms are sometimes called the Malaysian blue or Indian blue and are already in use by vermicomposters in Asia, Australia, and other tropical regions. This little composting worm can be identified by its blue sheen that’s visible when brought into the light.

Are blue worms rare?

The Blue Planarian is not rare, but it doesn’t tend to show itself unless it has been forced out by water-logged soil, or if it’s on the prowl for something to eat. Yes, it’s a predator, so it’s fortunate that it’s only about 6 centimetres in length.

Are blue earthworms real?

You may never have heard of the Terriswalkeris terraereginae, a giant blue earthworm living deep in the moist soils of tropical north Queensland, but it’s the prettiest worm you’ll ever see.

Are Blue Worms good compost?

Blue Worms (Perionyx sp.) grow quickly, produce lots of offspring, and consume lots of waste materials when conditions are favorable for them. This is what makes them a great composting species.

What does a blue worm look like?

They are usually a blue to blue-purple color, with an iridescent sheen when exposed to light. This coloring is very similar to African nightcrawlers, but blues are much thinner and shorter. There isn’t the obvious banding when they stretch out to move. They do not make a very good bait worm.

What is a millipede worm?

Description. Millipedes are often called 1,000-legged worms or rain worms. They are wormlike, with rounded body segments that each bear two pairs of legs. The head is rounded with short antennae. Species can vary in length from less than 1 to 2 or more inches.

What is a pink worm?

The pink worm is small. It has a pale pink head and tail. Its clitellum – the glandular ring or saddle near the head – is dark, pinkish orange. The pink worm lives in the top 20–30 cm depth of soil. Like other endogeic species, these earthworms burrow through the soil, creating channels for air, water and plant roots.

How big can giant blue earthworms get?

Description. These giant earthworms average 1 metre (3.3 ft) long and 2 centimetres (0.79 in) in diameter and can reach 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length; however, their body is able to expand and contract making them appear much larger.

How do I identify an African night crawler?

African Night Crawler are a distinctive mix of a grey and purple color and grow to over twice the size of red worms, often reaching over 8 inches. If you are familiar with red worms one of the things you will immediately notice about the ANC is how large and muscular it is compared to the redworm.

What is the best worms for composting?

The type of worm most commonly used for vermicomposting is the red wiggler. That’s why this method of vermicomposting is also called red worm composting. The red wiggler species (Eisenia fetida) loves living in rotting organic material and manure and is extremely efficient at breaking it down.

What worms are best for gardens?

If we’re talking about which worms are best to add directly to vegetable garden soil, earthworms and nightcrawlers are definitely the best worms. They burrow their way through the soil, aerating it and increasing water penetration. These worms are like little secret soil specialists!

Are earthworms the same as compost worms?

The main difference between earthworms and compost worms is that earthworms are burrowing, segmented worms that are important for aerating and draining the soil whereas compost worms are the red surface-dwelling worms used in composting.

Can you mix red worms and earthworms?

Can earthworms and red worms live together? It is possible to house both earthworms and red worms together, however, it is not ideal. This is because the two species are adapted for different population densities, temperatures, and soil depths. Worms are an invaluable addition to your garden or compost bin.

What color are earthworms?

reddish brown

An earthworm’s body is usually segmented and reddish brown in color. The different earthworm species range in size from a quarter of an inch to about 6 inches.

What is the difference between Nightcrawlers and earthworms?

Nightcrawlers Are Nocturnal, and Earthworms Are Diurnal



This is the significant difference between these two worms! Nightcrawlers are nocturnal, meaning they go out hunting at night.

Do nightcrawlers bite?

Worms don’t bite. They also don’t sting. 3. They are cold-blooded animals, which means they don’t maintain their own body heat but instead assume the temperature of their surroundings.

Should I put nightcrawlers in my garden?

Nightcrawlers are beneficial earthworms that provide natural aeration of soil. They allow water and oxygen to penetrate more easily into the ground. Their feeding and excrement helps recycle nutrients and fertilize the soil.

What time do nightcrawlers come out?

On cool spring or autumn evenings, just after dusk, nightcrawlers will emerge from their burrows to rest on the surface of the soil and seek mates. This is the best time for catching nightcrawlers. These prolific creatures can often be collected by the thousands on a good night in some areas.

Where can I dig for Nightcrawlers?

Where Should I Look for Nightcrawlers? For the most part, worms stay in the ground. It’s not uncommon to find worms along roads or sidewalks when it’s raining, but they are more commonly found with their back half still nestled into their hole. Even when they mate, they keep their tail end in the dirt.

How do you get Nightcrawlers in your yard?

Sometimes they're hard to see in the grass. They're a little bit hard to find in the grass. But. If you go nice and slowly with the flashlight.

What do I feed Nightcrawlers?

You may use discarded plant material (grass clippings, vegetable peelings, etc.), chicken feed, coffee grounds, crushed oatmeal, or specialized worm food. Whatever you chose to feed them, try to space feeding out such that you do not have a build up of food items on the surface.

Are coffee grounds good for nightcrawlers?

Attract worms



Worms love to eat coffee grounds, and that’s great news for your garden. Add coffee grounds to your compost pile to help attract worms, which help speed up the process of turning food scraps into compost. You can also add coffee grounds directly to the soil, but you’ll have to be careful not to overdo it.

How long can nightcrawlers live?

Answer: In perfect conditions, nightcrawlers can live up to ten years. This is assuming they have plenty of food, the right amount of moisture in the soil, and regulated temperatures. The most common ways for worms to die is predators, lack of food, and too little/too much moisture.