Compost Worm - Eisenia veneta

Typical size of adult is 7cm. The whole body is stripy on its upper surface when moving. The upper surface has dark red bands, with a pale pink or yellowish band in between. The saddle is usually paler than the rest of the body.

Usually found in garden compost but can also occur in wet, decaying leaf litter, under damp bark and in organic-rich soils and manure heaps.

All year round.

Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.