Buzz
Planet Earth is home to thousands of different worm species. While some are too small to see without a microscope, the giant Gippsland earthworm in Australia can grow up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length. This species has been classified as endangered due to its slow reproduction and development, as well as the impact of agriculture, which has decreased its population significantly.
Though the giant Gippsland earthworm is impressive, it’s outshone by the ocean-dwelling bootlace worms, which can grow as long as an Olympic swimming pool. There are over 1,000 species of ribbon worms. Most are around 1.8–2.1 meters (6–7 feet) long and about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in circumference, but some have reached an astounding 60 meters (197 feet) in length.
While worms are primarily used as food for larger animals, humans have found many other uses for them, such as in medicine, cosmetics, compost, clothing, and food production. Some insect larvae are also included here due to their wormlike characteristics.
10. Night Crawlers
The cosmetic industry often uses a variety of ingredients sourced from the animal kingdom, and earthworm feces are among them. After worms burrow and decompose nutrients in the soil, they excrete their castings. Skincare product manufacturers claim these castings have remarkable benefits for human skin.
Night crawlers are one of the most widespread species of earthworms, commonly found in gardens. They are categorized into two types: European and Canadian.
European night crawlers can grow to 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) and are often used for fishing, composting, or as food for pet reptiles like lizards and turtles. On the other hand, Canadian night crawlers can reach up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) and serve as excellent fishing bait, staying alive for up to five minutes underwater and enticing fish with their movements.
Night crawler castings are even traded online. The castings are collected, screened, and inspected for quality, then kept moist and aerated before being shipped to buyers.
Anti-aging skincare products containing earthworm castings are said to be enriched with copper peptides, auxins, kinetins, humates, and cytokinins. These compounds are claimed to promote hydration, nutrient absorption, skin firming, collagen production, and the stimulation of healthy cell growth.
9. Bloodworms
Bloodworms are found at the bottom of bodies of water. These marine worms are named for their striking red color. Almost all fish species consume bloodworms, making them an ideal fish food, even for the pickiest eaters.
Bloodworms are also widely used by fishermen. Marine worms are among the most valuable resources to be harvested from the sea. Experts estimate that each year, around 121,000 tons of worms, worth approximately $7.5 billion, are used globally as bait. This figure is more than three times the annual revenue of the U.S. sushi industry.
According to researchers, marine worms are more costly than any other seafood. In fact, bloodworms are about four times more expensive than lobster, with 0.5 kilograms (1 lb) of bloodworms costing over $80 in the United States.
8. Flukeworms
Consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish infested with flukes can result in liver fluke disease. These parasitic worms have infected about 35 million people worldwide. They cause chronic inflammation in the small bile ducts of the liver and the gallbladder, where they can live for 20 to 30 years.
Flukeworms are most prevalent in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Eastern Russia, and China, where the parasite has affected 15 million people. Although many individuals show no symptoms, those with severe infections may experience fatigue and abdominal pain. High rates of bile duct cancer are linked to regions with high liver fluke infection rates.
Despite the harm they cause, researchers have discovered that flukeworms might aid in healing wounds. A specific growth factor that encourages blood vessel expansion and tissue repair has been isolated. Reportedly, worms use this growth factor to assist in healing their host as they feed on vital blood cells.
A more potent growth factor could lead to an increased risk of bile duct cancer. However, scientists are working to isolate this potential treatment from its carcinogenic compounds. Their ultimate goal is to develop vaccines capable of healing chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers. Additionally, these vaccines may help protect against bile duct cancer caused by the parasite.
7. Butterworms
Butterworms are another species commonly used in fishing. They are the larvae of Chilean moths, which are considered pests outside of Chile. Due to the threat of infestations, strict import regulations are in place, but the worms are still regularly shipped to the United States. To prevent imported worms from pupating and breeding, they are exposed to low-level radiation.
What sets this species apart is its strong, fruit-like odor, which many fish find irresistible. Butterworms are especially effective bait for bass and panfish. Their scent and bright color also attract more selective eaters, such as pet geckos, iguanas, and other reptiles.
6. Mealworms
Mealworms offer a whole new perspective on homegrown food. The larvae of mealworm beetles have recently gained popularity as a human food source. These worms can be raised right in your kitchen, providing the same protein content as beef, but without the environmental impact of raising cattle.
While many people are hesitant about eating worms, Katharina Unger, the founder of Livin Farms, suggests thinking of them as land shrimp instead. She even pointed out that mealworms are so closely related to some seafood that those with shellfish allergies should avoid eating them.
Livin Farms offers the world’s first desktop hives designed for raising edible insects. Mealworms can be fed with vegetable scraps from your kitchen, and the hive creates an ideal microclimate for their growth. LED lights signal when the worms are ready to be harvested.
Mealworms are said to be a viable substitute for meat or other protein-rich foods, offering health and environmental benefits over traditional animal farming. They are described as having a nutty flavor and a crispy texture.
5. Red Worms
Vermicomposting, or composting with worms, is an efficient method for managing organic waste. Homemade compost is an excellent way to nourish and support plant growth. This natural waste disposal system turns food scraps into rich garden soil by allowing worms to go about their regular activities.
Although many species of earthworms can help with composting, none do it as effectively as red worms. For instance, night crawlers cannot thrive on food scraps alone, but red wigglers are ideal for the job. With proper food and housing, their population can double every 90 days.
Decomposition naturally occurs in all organic matter over time, but the process is significantly accelerated by nutrient-dense vermicompost. Farmers can even control the manure content by the worms’ diet. For example, feeding worms eggshells results in calcium-rich compost, while coffee pulp creates fertilizer abundant in phosphorus and potassium.
Red worms can be fed a variety of organic materials, including tea bags, bread, most fruits (except citrus), vegetables, grains, and cereals. However, meats, dairy products, fats, and oils should be avoided. Moisture is crucial for worms' health, so it’s recommended to provide them with about 240 milliliters (1 cup) of water per day.
4. Fly Larvae
Italy is renowned for its culinary delights. However, for many, casu marzu, the cheese teeming with maggots, is not something they would consider appetizing. This cheese originates from pecorino, which is initially free of any living organisms. Centuries ago, the people of Sardinia decided to make a change.
Casu marzu is created by introducing fly larvae to the cheese, pushing it into an advanced stage of fermentation. Some individuals prefer to remove the maggots before serving, while others consume it with the maggots still alive. It is thought that the cheese becomes unsafe once the maggots die. Due to health concerns, casu marzu has been banned within the EU.
The fats in casu marzu break down rapidly, resulting in a soft texture, sometimes even resembling liquid. The ammonia in the cheese can create a stinging sensation when eaten, leaving a lingering aftertaste for hours. Despite the controversy, Sardinians continue to produce casu marzu and are actively working to have it reapproved by the EU.
If eating maggot-infused cheese wasn’t enough, imagine human skin hosting fly larvae. The maggots’ sole purpose is feeding, and their appetite for decaying flesh makes them particularly beneficial for human health in certain contexts.
Maggot therapy involves raising larvae in highly controlled, sterile environments and using them to treat chronic wounds. This method has been practiced for centuries, originating from ancient tribes and cultures. While the idea of allowing these creatures to feed on open wounds may seem unsettling, it has proven to be highly effective in many cases.
The larvae produce enzymes that break down and digest necrotic tissue, which they then consume. Their secretions not only help to decompose dead cells but also combat various harmful bacteria, releasing a small antibacterial molecule in the process. No modern treatment has been found to match their efficiency in promoting wound healing.
3. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are parasitic organisms that absorb nutrients from their host’s digestive tract. These parasites can infect humans, dogs, sheep, cows, pigs, and fish. The most common way humans contract tapeworms is by consuming raw or undercooked meat from infected animals. They can also be contracted by consuming food prepared by an infected person or drinking contaminated water.
Once inside the host, tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal lining and start absorbing nutrients. As they grow, they produce eggs, which are excreted in the host’s feces. Some tapeworms can survive inside the host for up to 20 years and can grow as long as 4.6–9.1 meters (15–30 feet).
While most people would go to great lengths to rid themselves of tapeworms, some actually choose to deliberately ingest these parasites. One effect of having a tapeworm is poor nutrient absorption, which allows the host to consume more calories while still shedding weight.
According to research, an infected individual may lose 0.5–0.9 kilograms (1–2 lb) each week. Once the desired weight is reached, a deworming treatment is employed to eliminate the tapeworm. However, this highly dangerous procedure is only legally available in Mexico at a cost of $1500.
While this method technically results in weight loss, removing the tapeworm often leads to immediate weight gain. The presence of the worm can also cause abdominal bloating, which contradicts the intended outcome. Tapeworms deplete the body’s vitamins, leaving their hosts malnourished. In some instances, tapeworm infections have been fatal.
2. Silkworms
Silkworms were first domesticated by humans around 8,500 years ago in China. The Chinese were the first to discover how to unravel silkworm cocoons and weave them into exquisite fabric. This luxurious silk was initially reserved for royalty, and the secrets of silk production were closely guarded by the Chinese for millennia.
By AD 300, it had spread to Korea and later made its way to Japan. Monks, under Emperor Justinian’s command, smuggled silkworm eggs from China into Europe. In the centuries that followed, the practice of sericulture rapidly expanded throughout Europe and Asia.
Over time, scientists have learned to genetically alter silkworms to produce the strongest natural fiber known to man. Unlike spiders, which cannot be raised in large colonies to produce silk due to their cannibalistic nature, silkworms can be modified for this purpose.
This led Kraig Biocraft Laboratories to modify the silkworms to produce spider silk. The resulting genetically engineered silk is stronger than steel and can absorb over 100,000 joules of kinetic energy.
One of the special fibers, known as “Dragon Silk,” was used to create armor for US soldiers. Military tests showed its effectiveness, prompting the US Army to fully fund the development of spider silk. A $1.02 million contract was allocated for this project, and the company continues to develop new fibers that surpass the original “Dragon Silk” in performance.
1. Hookworms
Hookworms are parasites that use tiny spikes to pierce the skin and burrow into a host. They travel through the bloodstream, passing through the heart, until they reach a capillary in the lungs. From there, they crawl up through the stomach and into the small intestine, where they latch onto the intestinal wall and start feeding on small amounts of blood each day.
The parasite doesn’t completely disable the immune system but rather suppresses it enough to prevent immune cells from attacking it. Interestingly, this mechanism can benefit humans in certain situations by helping to avoid autoimmune conditions, where the immune system turns on the body.
In 2011, a pharmaceutical company explored the idea that hookworms could potentially reverse autoimmune disorders. Their trials showed no difference between the number of patients who improved with parasitic worms and those who improved with a placebo.
Although clinical trials were unsuccessful, some individuals have reported recovering from allergies, hay fever, and Crohn's disease after being treated with hookworms. However, side effects like diarrhea and cramps might outweigh the potential benefits of this treatment.
