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How to Recognize Earthworm Eggs

Earthworms are hermaphrodites, which mean they have male and female reproductive organs. Sexually mature worms have a band around their body, called the clitellum, which changes color from pinkish to reddish-orange when worms are ready to mate. During mating, the worms join at the clitellum and exchange reproductive material. A ring of mucus material forms at the clitellum of each worm. The worms wiggle backwards, and the mucus ring slips off, forming a capsule called an egg.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Look for egg capsules in moist slightly warm soil. Earthworms lay their egg capsules near the surface, where the ground temperature is warmer. A capsule takes on average one month to hatch, depending on the soil conditions.
- 2
  Sift through the soil carefully. Initially, the egg capsule will be soft and milky white in color but will quickly harden and turn a light lemon color. It will turn a rusty brown color right before it hatches.
- 3
  Use a magnifying glass. An egg capsule is slightly oval and about the size of a grape seed.
- 4
  Hold a capsule up to a light to see the baby worms inside. A capsule contains two to 20 worms, with four being the average.
- 5
  Watch the capsule closely. You may get lucky and see the baby worms emerge from it.

Insects & Science