A study on arthropods and other fauna associated with vermicomposting

The present study was conducted on 10 vermicomposting units of the Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts of Punjab. Eisenia foetida dominated all vermi-composters mainly with cattle dung. This epigeic species is capable of better growth, multiplication, cocoon formation, and vermicomposting waste material efficiently and can withstand cold and heat environment conditions. Bacteria and multicellular organisms populate vermicomposting. Vermibin fungi include Aspergillus, Corynascus, Penicillium, Thermomyces, and Trichoderma where Aspergillus dominates all fungi. All ten vermicomposting units had Meloidogyne nematodes. Decomposer dung bugs were numerous in cattle-dung vermibeds. Fungal gnats eat vermibed waste, Dipteran larvae eat rotting produce and debris and Summer's grey slug moved centipedes. The predatory nature of red mites and decomposing nature of white and brown mites were also observed during the investigation. Spider webs near vermicomposting operations may indirectly contribute whereas Pseudoscorpions and pot worms aid composting. Fruit flies, which eat earthworms, were more abundant in vegetable and fruit waste vermibeds. Earthworms and primary decomposer springtails accelerate decomposition. Red ants harm vermicomposting by eating earthworms. Termites harmed earthworms by delving into decomposing waste. Vermibeds' upper millipedes digest waste without harming earthworms. Vermicomposting beds only have centipedes in summer. Sparrows, crows, birds, snakes, lizards, and toads frequently visited vermicomposting beds.