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Specimens of locally occurring Eisenia fetida were compared with specimens of E. fetida and E. andrei obtained from France. All specimens were cultured in the laboratory under controlled conditions and growth, maturation, cocoon production, hatching success, and the number of hatchlings were compared. The results showed some differences between the two 'forms'. The eventual worm biomass was the same for both, although the growth reats and the rate at which maturity was attained differed. E. andrei had a higher cumulative cocoon production. Although the local worms resembled E. andrei in appearance their cocoon production rate resembled that of E. fetida from France. E. andrei produced higher numbers of hatchlings per cocoon. The results show that the biology of the two species/forms is similar. The study did not provide convincing proof to substantiate a taxonomic distinction between the two 'forms' of Eisenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations in outdoor culture beds indicated that food availability and frequency of feeding influenced worm density. In order to study the role of feeding status on the growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida, pre-clitellate specimens were kept for 180 days under controlled conditions. A control group was regularly provided with freshly produced cattle manure while the experimental groups were fed only sporadically and at some stage even starved by removing some of the substrate. Worm growth, maturation, and cocoon production were monitored. The role of food availability was highlighted by this study. Both worm growth and cocoon production were correlated closely with the feeding pattern that was followed. This study also showed that freshly produced, urine-free, cattle manure proved an excellent food source provided it was added in such a way as to prevent the development of anaerobic conditions. Regular feeding gave high growth and reproduction rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although various authors have contributed to our knowledge of the biology of Eudrilus eugeniae some basic facts about the life cycle and reproduction are still not fully documented. Quantitative observations were made of the cocoons at 25 °C in different substrates. The incubation period for 166 cocoons was 16.89 days, based on cocoons produced by worms between the ages of 70 and 100 days. These cocoons produced a mean 2.12 hatchlings per cocoon after incubation in cattle manure, moist filter paper and distilled water. A smaller batch of cocoons incubated in cattle manure produced a mean of 2.7 hatchlings per cocoon. The hatching success of the cocoons was 84% in cattle manure, 50% in distilled water, and 48% on moist filter paper. The reproductive capabilities of E. eugeniae and Eisenia fetida were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]