Jumping worms, known also as Asian jumping worms, crazy worms, Alabama jumpers and snake worms, are invasive earthworms first found in Wisconsin in 2013. Native to eastern Asia, they present challenges to homeowners, gardeners and forest managers. Jumping worms get their name from their behavior. When handled, they violently thrash, spring into the air and can even shed their tails to escape.

This website will help you learn about jumping worms and their effects on yards, gardens and forests, what you can do to prevent their spread and what to do if they’re already on your property.

Introduction

Jumping worms are native to parts of eastern Asia. They were first found in Wisconsin in 2013 in Dane County. Adult jumping worm. Photo by UW Arboretum. History Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) first arrived in North America sometime in the late 19th century, probably in imported plants and other horticultural and agricultural materials. Since then, jumping worms have become widespread across much of the northeast, southeast and midwestern U.S. In 2013, jumping worms were confirmed for the first time in the upper Midwest, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. Jumping worms aren’t the first invasive earthworms in Wisconsin. Surprisingly, all earthworms in Wisconsin are non-native. There have been no native earthworms in Wisconsin since the last glacier moved through the state thousands of years ago, scouring the landscape down to the bedrock. The familiar earthworms we see in our gardens and on our fishing hooks originated in Europe, brought here by settlers. Although all earthworms can harm landscapes and forests, jumping worms may pose a bigger threat than European worms. Why jumping worms are a problem Jumping worms grow more rapidly, reproduce more quickly and consume more nutrients than other earthworms in the state. Once jumping worms become established, they quickly transform soil into dry, granular pellets with a texture like discarded coffee grounds. This altered soil structure is often unaccommodating to ornamental and garden plants, and inhospitable to many native plant species. In many cases, invasive plants thrive where jumping worms live.

Identification and biology

Where to look for jumping worms Jumping worms do not burrow far into soil – they live on the soil surface in debris and leaf litter.

Look for them in your yard, garden, forest, in mulch, compost, potted plants and other suitable places. Carefully examine soil in potted plants.

Bare root stock is best if available. Jumping worms thrive in mulch and

compost. What jumping worms look like Smooth, glossy dark gray/brown color

Clitellum*, the lighter colored band, is cloudy-white to gray; completely encircles the body. Its surface is flush with rest of body

Bodies are firm and not coated in “slime”

Snake-like movement

They tend to occur in large numbers; Where there’s one, there are always more *The clitellum is a band of glandular tissue composed that partially or fully encircles the worm’s body. Comparison: jumping worm vs. European nightcrawler Jumping worm European nightcrawler Brown/gray Pink/reddish Bodies are sleek, dry, smooth and firm Bodies are thick, slimy, floppy Thrash violently when disturbed; snake-like movement Wiggle and stretch when disturbed. Mature worm 4-5 inches long Mature worm 6-8 inches long Light colored, smooth clitellum* that is flush with body, relatively close to head. Completely encircles body. Reddish or pink clitellum* slightly raised from rest of body. Partially encircles body (like a saddle). When to look for jumping worms Jumping worms are most noticeable in late summer/early autumn when most of them are fully mature. Time of year Activity April -May Tiny jumping worms hatch from cocoon-encased eggs. Summer months Worms feed and grow. August – September Mature worms reproduce, depositing egg-filled cocoons into surroundings. Jumping worms are parthenogenic; each worm can reproduce on its own without a mate. First freeze Adult worms die. Winter months Eggs spend cold months protected in cocoons (about the size of mustard seeds!) It takes only 60 days between hatching and reproduction. Jumping worms, unlike European earthworms, can easily complete two generations per year in Wisconsin. Tiny cocoons are difficult to see.

Photo by UW Arboretum. Newly hatched jumping worm.

Photo by UW Arboretum. The real problem: cocoons Unlike most other kinds of earthworms, jumping worms are parthenogenic - they self-fertilize and do not need mates to reproduce. Each new generation begins with the production of hardened egg capsules, known as cocoons, that overwinter in the soil to hatch the following spring. Jumping worm cocoons are resistant to cold and drought and are as tiny as mustard seeds. Since they greatly resemble small bits of dirt, they are hard to see and so are often unknowingly moved in soil, mulch, potted plants, etc. Jumping worm cocoons are as small as tiny mustard seeds. Photo by UW Arboretum

Effects

What jumping worms do to the soil Jumping worms feed ravenously on organic matter in soil, leaf litter and mulch and excrete grainy-looking, hard little pellets that alter the texture and composition of soil. Besides consuming nutrients that plants, animals, fungi and bacteria need to survive, the resulting soil, which resembles large coffee grounds, provides poor structure and support for many understory plants. Invasive species will move in when native plants die. Jumping worm-infested soil in a potted plant.

Photo by Eau Claire Leader-Telegram The characteristic coffee-ground-like soil

left behind by jumping worms.

Photo by Eric Hamilton Jumping worm effects on forests All earthworms, not just jumping worms, can harm forests by changing the soil structure and forest floor vegetation. Their feeding can result in a loss of soil moisture, compacted soil, exposed roots, erosion and an increase of pathogens and non-native plants. The result is less diversity of native plants and animals in delicate forest ecosystems.

Management

There is no “magic bullet” to control jumping worms, at least not yet. Management mainly consists of taking precautions to not move them onto your property. If they are already there, you will need to adapt and adjust until there are better control options available. Prevention Prevention is by far the best approach to jumping worms. Even if jumping worms are on part of your property, take care not to introduce them to uninfested areas. The following simple steps will reduce the spread of jumping worms: Educate yourself and others to recognize jumping worms

Watch for jumping worms and signs of their presence

Arrive clean, leave clean. Clean soil and debris from vehicles, equipment and personal gear before moving to and from a work or recreational area – they might contain jumping worms or their cocoons

Use, sell, plant, purchase or trade only landscape and gardening materials and plants that appear to be free of jumping worms

Sell, purchase or trade only compost and mulch that was heated to appropriate temperatures and duration following protocols that reduce pathogens. Plant sales can still be safely conducted, although extra care and attention must be taken so jumping worms are not accidentally moved in soil. Proper treatment of compost and mulch prior to purchase kills jumping worms and other pests and diseases. Photo by UW Platteville Don’t panic. By taking precautions, you can continue enjoying your yard, trees and garden. Just because you have jumping worms in one part of your property doesn’t mean that they are everywhere. Take precautions to avoid spreading them.

By taking precautions, you can continue enjoying your yard, trees and garden. Just because you have jumping worms in one part of your property doesn’t mean that they are everywhere. Take precautions to avoid spreading them. Remove and destroy jumping worms when you see them. Simply seal them in a bag and throw it in the trash – they will not survive long. Reducing the adult population will eventually reduce the number of egg-carrying cocoons in the landscape.

Simply seal them in a bag and throw it in the trash – they will not survive long. Reducing the adult population will eventually reduce the number of egg-carrying cocoons in the landscape. Experiment. If necessary, try a variety of plants or consider alternative landscaping in heavily infested parts of your property. Keep a log and share your successes with fellow gardeners.

If necessary, try a variety of plants or consider alternative landscaping in heavily infested parts of your property. Keep a log and share your successes with fellow gardeners. Keep your chin up. Research is moving forward to find ways to control jumping worms. Until a solution is found, learn to live with these unwelcome pests.

Resources

Questions and Answers