Growth and Sexual Development of Lumbricids in Southern Sweden

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Abstract
Four lumbricid species were sampled fortnightly, and size and stage of development were determined. Four developmental stages were distinguished, i.e., adults, subadults, suprajuveniles and juveniles. The development (excluding incubation time of the cocoons but including periods of inactivity) to the adult stage took 9-11 mo. in Dendrobaena octaedra (Sav.), 12-15 mo. in Lumbricus terrestris L., and .apprx. 1 yr in Allolobophora caliginosa (Sav.) and A. rosea (Sav.). No growth occurred in any species during the winter, and was also insignificant during summer in Allolobophora spp. In L. terrestris suprajuvenile and subadult individuals mainly occurred from late June to early Sept. and adults from Aug. through Nov. In D. octaedra suprajuveniles were most abundant from early Sept. to late Nov., subadults from early March to late July and adults from late June to early Sept. The growth period from the newly emerged to the adult stage was somewhat longer in S Sweden than previous studies in England had shown, but the actual time of growth (inactive periods not included) was about the same.

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