Influence of temperature on the reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Oligochaeta)

Abstract

An experimental investigation revealed that cocoon production by E. foetida (Oligochaeta) increased linearly with increase in temperature in the range 10 to 25 °C. Diurnally fluctuating temperature did not have a marked influence on total cocoon production at the temperature levels of 10, 15 and 25 °C. A highly significant difference in cocoon production occurred between a constant temperature of 20 °C and a mean temperature of 20 °C (which fluctuated diurnally between 12 and 28 °C). Maximum cocoon production was obtained at 25 °C with each worm producing a cocoon every second day. The investigation also showed that temperature does influence the number of hatchlings per cocoon. At a temperature of 25 °C fewer worms hatched per cocoon than at 20 °C.