Early form of any animal that changes structurally before becoming an adult. A caterpillar is an insect larva which becomes a moth or butterfly as an adult.

To run water through a medium, causing soluble materials to dissolve and drain off.

Leaves in an advanced stage of decomposition.

A calcium compound which helps reduce acidity in worm bins. Use calcium carbonate, ground limestone, egg shells, or oyster shells. Avoid caustic, slaked and hydrated lime.

Organic material on forest floor containing leaves, twigs, decaying plants, and associated organisms.

Name of family group to which several redworm and nightcrawler species of earthworms belong.

Scientific name for a redworm species. Color is ruddy-brown or red-violet, iridescent dorsally, and pale yellow ventrally. It has been found in a wide variety of habitats, including under debris, in stream banks, under logs, in woody peat, in place rich in humus, and under dung in pastures. Grown in culture by worm growers.

Scientific name for large burrow- dwelling nightcrawler. Also known as the nightcrawler, Canadian nightcrawler, or dew worm.