Common species include Bimastos parvus, Dendrobaena rubida, D. veneta, E. hortensis and Eudrilus andrei, Amynthas diffringens, A. morrisi, Lampito mauritii, Metaphire anomala, M. birmanica, P. sansibaricus, Megascolex megascolex, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Octochaetona serrata, O. surensis, Pheritima elongata, P. posthuma https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262181767,

Octolasion cyaneum and Amynthas gracilis https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329842138

https://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/vermi-compost-fertilizer.html?biz=20

There are many earthworm species useful for vermicomposting. Actually all epigec or endo-epigeic earthworms can have some vermicomposting potential, Mark Cooper listed many of them but alos many Dichogaster species are good candidates like D. saliens, D. annae, D. modiglianii etc.

Just a short correction; andrei is Eisenia (a Holarctic lumbricid worm) and not Eudrilus (a tropical African genus), Pheretima elongata is mostly known as Polypheretima elongata and I have never heard of Megascolex megascolex.

Tridip Boruah Some helpful reading tips:

https://www.eawag.ch/fileadmin/Domain1/Abteilungen/sandec/E-Learning/Moocs/Solid_Waste/W4/Vermicompost_story_organic_gold_2012.pdf

https://www.eawag.ch/fileadmin/Domain1/Abteilungen/sandec/E-Learning/Moocs/Solid_Waste/W4/Training_Material_Composting_Vermicomposting.pdf

https://www.eawag.ch/fileadmin/Domain1/Abteilungen/sandec/E-Learning/Moocs/Solid_Waste/W4/Manual_On_Farm_Vermicomposting_Vermiculture.pdf

Thank You, everyone, I'll try some of the earthworm species in my next project and let you know about the results, hopefully through a publication.

OK. For successful trial you need to find epigeic or endo-epigeic worm with fast reproduction rate. All the successful vermicomposting species reproduces very fast and continuously (i.e. with no seasonal interruption which can be obligatory even in continuously friendly environment)

Perionyx ceylanensis is also a good option.

Dear Tridip,

Several epigeic species of earthworms have been investigated for their potential to stabilize organic waste and produce vermicomposts. Research has shown that many organic wastes can supply the large populations of microorganisms that are necessary for the growth and reproduction of species of earthworms of the genera Eisenia, Eudrilus, Perionyx, Dendrobaena, and Pheretima. So, Dendrobaena veneta (Savigny) and Pheretima species are also useful earthworms for vermicomposting.

Online sources for provision of those earthworms are available from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Spain (Countries which have a vermicomposting plant) etc.. but you need to obtain the quarantine clearance for the importation of those species, which is very difficult to get.

Regards

Dr N. Soobhany

Nuhaa Soobhany , Savigny is author of many peregrine earthworm species but Dendrobaena veneta is of Rosa 1886!! originally described as Allolobophora veneta from the Italian Veneto Region.

Hi all,

This question can't be answered just by naming this species or another. The performance of vermicomposting or vermiculture depends on some significant parameters. To name a few without getting even close to the complete list of parameters here:

1. Where is the main focus of the operation: vermicomposting meaning processing organic waste to vermicast, vermiculture in the sense of worm production. Even here what are you aiming using the earthworms for? For other vermicomposting / vermiculture operations or as protein source = feedstock? Or are you looking at a combination?

2. What kind of organic material are you using as feedstock?

3. What technology are you using? Open space or enclosed conditions. Meaning can you force the worms to process the feedstock or can they decide to wiggle off.

4. How much can you control the conditions? Temperature, moisture content?

5. How fast does the feedstock need to be processed?

6. Continuous feeding or "one off" feeding?

7. Quality of feedstock: pH, C/N ratio, structure, EC, and others.

8. Can you allow for multiple worm species?

9. ...

If you are concentrating on vermicomposting does it actually matter which species is doing te job?

My advise implement all local species and let them do their work the best will thrive while you watch.

Regards

Michael