Nightcrawler Lumbricus Terrestris ILLINOIS RANGE

Home , Clitellata, Lumbricidae, Lumbricus, Lumbricus terrestris, Opisthopora

nightcrawler Lumbricus terrestris Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Annelida The nightcrawler, or dew worm, has a large body Class: Clitellata compared to other earthworms. It may attain a Order: Opisthopora length of three and one-half to 12 inches. Like all earthworms, it has light- and touch-sensitive Family: Lumbricidae structures. Bristles on the underside of the body ILLINOIS STATUS help it to move. It breathes through the skin. The skin is coated with mucus that aids in its ability to common, nonnative breathe. Segments are present all along the body. A raised bump or ring, called the clitellum, secretes mucus to form the cocoon that covers the eggs and sperm as they are deposited outside the body. Small earthworms hatch from the cocoon. This worm may live four to eight years but is often preyed upon or dies before that time.

BEHAVIORS The nightcrawler may be found statewide in Illinois, It eats plant material at the soil’s surface. Its cast oﬀ wastes and debris are mixed at the soil’s surface with fresh plant material to form a small mound at the entrance of its burrow. The mound is called a midden. This species requires sexual mating for reproduction. Native to Europe, this species has been introduced throughout the world and is considered to be invasive in North America. ILLINOIS RANGE

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Aquatic Habitats bottomland forests; lakes, ponds and reservoirs; Lake Michigan; marshes; peatlands; rivers and streams; swamps; temporary water supplies; wet prairies and fens

Woodland Habitats bottomland forests; coniferous forests; southern Illinois lowlands; upland deciduous forests

Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; dolomite prairie; edge; gravel prairie; hill prairie; sand prairie; shrub prairie