Lumbricus rubellus

Lumbricus rubellus, also commonly referred to as the red earthworm, redhead worm, and red wriggler, is a species of earthworm. It is referred to as this due to its reddish, brown color. Red earthworms are known as efficient composters and also tend to be a popular choice as bait for fishing.

Close up photo of Lumbricus rubellus on top of soil

Taxonomy

  Kingdom: Animalia 
     Phylum: Annelida
        Class: Clitellata 
           Order: Haplotaxida
              Family: Lumbricidae
                 Genus: Lumbricus

Overview

Lumbricus rubellus is a medium sized (10-15 cm) worm that is partially pigmented and epi-endogeic. The mean biomass of Lumbricus rubellus is reported to be 1.89 g. Lumbricus rubellus is a very important species for commerical fishing bait as it has a small size and natural scent which can be picked up by fish. Because of this small size, fisherman tend to favor Lumbricus rubellus as a bait for small fish. Lumbricus rubellus is also a great species for breaking down organic waste. In natural and agricultural ecosystems, red earthworms provide ecological services, including improving soil properties and increasing plant production.

Photo of Lumbricus rubellus in a petri dish

Habitat

Lumbricus rubellus is commonly found in coniferous forests. The red earthworm is native to Europe, but has since been introduced to North America. They have been seen to thrive in regions with compact, and highly moist soil. They feed on surface litter, but burrow and produce casts in the upper mineral soil layer, so they are closely in relation with plant roots. Cave-dwelling behavior has been seen in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Since they are not native to these locations, they may cause negative effects. They have the ability to disrupt the organic layer by consuming and mixing the F and H soil layers. By doing this, they could be favoring invasive plant species, while also harming native species.