UK ELECTS THE EARTHWORM AS INVERTEBRATE OF THE YEAR

The UK’s Guardian newspaper ran a contest to name the Invertebrate of the Year. The winner: the worm, by a landslide. The earthworm took 38% of the popular vote. Why the worm? Earthworms can bring 40 tons of soil to the surface a year in Britain (* In what, three centuries?). Worms make soils less prone to flooding in winter and less hard in summer, they boost microbial activity and are vital in supporting plant growth, including the crops that feed us. Plus, kids, you can cut ’em in half and it makes two worms! If, for any reason, the worm is unable to fulfill its official duties, the crown will be taken over by the contest runner-up which was the bumblebee with 15% of the vote; the third place lightning bug received 9% of the vote.
* Better luck next year, Prince Andrew.
* For the talent portion of the contest, the earthworm caught a fish. Unfortunately, it then had to withdraw from the contest.
* To be fair, earthworms aren’t 100% wonderful. For example, when they take the last of the coffee, they never make a fresh pot.
* Who won Miss Congeniality, the praying mantis?
* This story brought to you by Wrigley’s.