What is pile worm?

Pile worms are marine polychaete worms belonging to the family Nereididae. They are found along the coasts of North America and Europe, mainly in intertidal zones.

Pile worms are typically small, slender, and annelid in shape, but they have a unique swirled pattern of raised rings, giving them their name. They can range in color from gray to brown and are often white or yellowish on the underside.

They are filter feeders and feed on nutrients and organic matter that they catch in their mucus-lined burrows. Pile worms play an essential role in marine ecosystems by breaking down and recycling organic matter, which helps to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Pile worms are also commonly used as fishing bait due to their consistency and strong scent. They are typically harvested by being dug out of intertidal sediment using specific tools or by using a bait pump.

Pile worms can be sensitive to changes in their environment and may be an indicator species for pollution or disturbance in marine ecosystems.