Eudrilus Perrier, 1871

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2010, Megadrile earthworm taxa introduced to South African soils (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 289-289 : 294

Genus Eudrilus Perrier, 1871

Eudrilus eugeniae ( Kinberg, 1867: 98)

Described from St Helena Island (South Atlantic). One of the commonest species in West African soils, which are probably its original home. With its high potential for adaptation to new environmental conditions, it is intentionally transported and commercially used in composting, protein production, and agriculture. Viljoen and Reinecke imported this species to RSA from Germany (the stock originated in West Africa) for a variety of experimental studies ( Reinecke & Viljoen 1988, 1994; Reinecke et al. 1992; Viljoen & Reinecke 1994; and many others). After laboratory experimental use, this species is presently used in vermicomposting production in RSA farms. Two samples from Potchefstroom and Durban compost heaps are in the NMSA collection.