Graeme,
This looks like lesions caused by extremely high concentration of
ammonia (or urea) which is a common condition in vermiculture of
/Eudrilus eugeniae /when the substrate is not replaced for prolonged
periods, and lacks buffering and bacteria necessary to convert ammonia
into nitrites and subsequently nitrates. This condition is usually
accelerated by overfeeding starch-containing feeds.
I suggest to first make up a fresh batch of a substrate, including at
least 20% of suitable top soil. Then take a few intact individuals and
see if they keep getting the lesion in a week from fransfer.
Dennis Gerasimov
graeme.fraser from dpi.nsw.gov.au wrote:
>> Listers,
>> I are a veterinarian working in a diagnostic veterinary pathology in
> NSW Australia. Some diseased worms said to be african night crawlers
> /Eudrilus eugeniae/have been submitted to us for examination and
> diagnosis. This is quite outside our field of expertise and I am
> seeking assistance.
>> The affected worms are grown in a vermiculture system and end up as
> fish bait. The grower believes that the disease was introduced when
> he brought in worms from another farm and says that lots of farmers
> have been affected. The disease is characterised by ulcers on the
> clitellum which apparently eventually fuse so that the clitellum is
> replaced by a band which constricts the worm. Affected worms fail to
> grow properly. The attached photos show various stages of the disease.
>> I'd be very grateful for any advice that recipients might offer as to
> possible causes and treatments for this condition.
>> graeme
>> Graeme Fraser
> Officer in Charge
> Diagnostic and Analytical Services
> NSW Department of Primary Industries
> WOLLONGBAR NSW 2477
> Phone 6626 1236
> Fax 6626 1276
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