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.

Eisenia fetida is also striped but has a red-brown clitellum, the same as the main body colour.

A photo is required showing the striped body and the clitellum.

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.