Inspite of hermaphroditism, cross fertilization is observed in earth worm. In earthworm maturation of sperms occur earlier than that of ova, i.e., protandrous candition. Breeding begins with copulation soon after maturation of sperms. Copulation occurs on open ground. Two individuals from adjacent burrows half emerge out and lie in contact by their ventral surface in such a position that male genital pores of one lie near spermathecal pores of any one pair of the other (Reciprocal fertilization).