“How long does it take for worms to hatch from their cocoons?” ~ Randall Perry AND “How long does it take for a newborn worm to reach adult life?” ~ Sharon Gunter
Since both questions are quite similar, I will group them together and list the characteristics of the two most common composting worms here:
Eisenia Hortensis a.k.a Dendrobeana Veneta (European NightCrawlers)
- – Temperature range: Minimum; 45° F, maximum; 85° F, ideal range; 55° F-65° F.
- – Reproductive rate: Just under 2 young per worm per week under ideal conditions.
- – Average number of young per cocoon: Approximately 1.
- – Time to emergence from the cocoon: Approximately 40-125 days under ideal conditions.
- – Time to sexual maturity: Approximately 55-85 days under ideal conditions.
Eisenia fetidas ( Red wigglers/tiger worms)
- – Temperature range: Minimum; 40° F, maximum; 80° F, ideal range; 68° F-77° F.
- – Reproductive rate: Just under 2 -3 young per worm per week under ideal conditions.
- – Average number of young per cocoon: Approximately 3-5.
- – Time to emergence from the cocoon: Approximately 32-73 days under ideal conditions.
- – Time to sexual maturity: Approximately 56-70 days under ideal conditions.
