Scientists Find Earthworms Eat Live Seeds and Plants

Crazy, huh? Who knew? Take a look here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8694000/8694377.stm

Thanks for sharing faeden, this is crazy indeed.

"invasive earthworms could be reducing populations of plants in once pristine soils."

Oh my... this is startling. I guess it doesn't surprise me that much though, as non-native life forms often have an invasive impact.

"Earthworms play a fundamental role in nutrient cycling, and in most contexts cannot be regarded as pests of plants"

Okay, so we can't discount the benefits of earthworms completely...thankfully... I'm just wondering how we can monitor whether or not earthworms are negatively impacting our gardens. Hmmmm...

Fascinating stuff. I have a feeling that we haven't heard the last about this revelation.

Watch out! Someone will make a horror flick out of it! HEHEHEHEHE

This isn't surprising. Most detritus eater will eat live plants when their primary food sources are scarce (i.e. slugs, snails, mealbugs). Make sure there is enough decaying OM for them.

This message was edited Jun 6, 2010 11:41 AM

No natural earthworms here, so guess if I introduced them, they would eat the roots!

faeden, they already did make a horror flick about earthworms. TREMORS!!!

OMG!!! I forgot about that!! You're absolutely right!! HEHEHEHEHEHE

I wonder if it is just seeds and seedlings they eat. Maybe it is beneficial in that they would reduce an over abundance of seeds sprouting and crowding each other out? People have often wondered why my houseplants are so healthy and I have always told them it is because when I plant a houseplant, I always put an earthworm or two into the new pot as well. Perhaps their benefit is mostly to established plants. I hope they do more research!