On the Internet and in the literature you will find a lot of (sometimes contradictory) information about two different types of compost worms: the Eisinia Fetida and the Eisinia Hortensis. In this table I try to get all the information in a row. Will you help me to separate the wheat from the chaff and make the overview complete and accurate?
| Eisinia Fetida | Eisinia Hortensis | Source | |
| Alternative names: Please note, often the names are used interchangeably and used incorrectly. That is why we all talk about the E.Fetida and the E.Hortensis. Those are the official names. |
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| Appearance | red, with rings | brown-red, with rings | http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worms/european-nightcrawlers-eisenia-hortensis/ |
| Measurement | |||
| Reproduction: number of eggs | many eggs/young | fewer eggs/young | |
| Reproduction: time to adulthood | short | long | |
| Sensitivity to temperature | Sensitive | Less sensitive | |
| Ideal temperature | 15 to 25 degrees | ||
| Sensitivity to acidity | |||
| Ideal acidity | |||
| Sensitivity to moisture | |||
| Ideal humidity level | |||
| Amount of waste converted into compost | |||
| Behavior | Remains mainly in the worm house | Likes to explore and also through the earth in the Balkonton | |
| Food | Preference for carbon-rich foods (coffee grounds!) | ||
| ‘place to live’ | Just below foliage or waste layer | Under the waste layer, but also crawls through the earth. |
http://www.gardentowerproject.com/resources/worms http://www.gardentowerproject.com/resources/questions-answers |
For all compost worms: They are very sensitive to light, and love peace. So leave them alone.