Jumping Worms (Amynthas spp.)

Key Identification Features

• Pale clitellum (‘belt’) flush with rest of body

• Brown to grey in color

• Wild, snake-like thrashing or jumping when disturbed

Description

Jumping worms are most easily distinguished by their pale, smooth clitellum encircling the upper portion of their bodies, near the head. Their skin is smooth and glossy and tends to be dark brown or grey. Jumping worms are usually smaller than their earthworm cousins at 4-5” long.

Jumping worms have many names due to their snake-like movements and tendency to jump and thrash when disturbed and may even shed their tails.

Native Range

Jumping worms are native to Eastern Asia and were first documented in Wisconsin in 2013.

Habitat and Dispersion

Jumping worms tend to live in the upper few inches of soil or leaf litter and are easily spotted when it rains. They can be found in your garden, forests, sidewalks, and most anywhere there is habitat suitable for worms. They alter soil structure where they are introduced and can actually make areas less habitable to native plants and favor invasive plants.

Jumping worms reproduce rapidly and are parthenogenic, meaning it only takes a single female to reproduce. Females produce hardened egg capsules called cocoons that can overwinter in soil. The cocoons are minuscule and easily spread through topsoil, mulch, potted plants, etc. so extra precaution should be taken when moving soil to avoid introducing jumping worms to new areas.

Best Management Practices

There are no current control methods for jumping worms, but everyone can help slow their spread by taking the steps below:

• Don’t use jumping worms as bait or for composting

• Make sure purchased soil has been heat treated (at least to 130F for 3 days) to kill off any jumping worms or cocoons

• Report jumping worms where found to iMapInvasives

• For more, visit Cornell’s page on jumping worms

Additional Resources

Cornell Cooperative Extension

WI DNR

University of Maryland Extension

Invasive Species Center

Smithsonian Magazine Article

Nature Article