By now you ’ve belike heard about the late invasive specie , a type of earthworm that go by many names , including jumping worm , crazy worm , snake worm , Asiatic jump worm , brainsick jumping worm — we ’re just getting begin here — Jersey wriggler , Georgia jumpers , and Alabama jumpers . Some of these names may seem out or keeping , but most of these worm DO thrash about and often move like snake ( to see them move , see the video atwisconsin.gov ) . While this behavior is not grounds for concern , there are of import ecological reasons for us all to be on the lookout for them in our yards and garden . And yes , jump off worms have been find in Virginia . SeeWSLS.com/Destructive alternate worms spotted throughout Virginia .
These invasive worm actually change the physical composition of the dirt — for the worse . How do they do this ? By eating such large quantities of the organic matter in the soil that thenutrients needed by plant and wildlife are use up . Jumping worms tend to stay in the leaf bedding or in the upper few inches of the dirt , and they gorge themselves in both sphere . They alsoalter the grime social organisation , go forth it gravelly , drier , and less hospitable to micro-organism like fungi and bacterium . Unlike the earthworms we ’re familiar with , these jumping worm stay very near the control surface , so they provide no good aeration , nutrient bm , or water supply percolation . In addition , the worm castings ( faecal matter ) sit on top of the soil , leaving their food out of reaching of plant roots , and increase the risk of nutritious overflow .
Most organism that bank on the normal composition of the woodland floor for food or habitat will believably be adversely affect by invasive jump worms — including plants , insects , Bronx cheer , and other beast , though there are exception , most notably , poison ivy , which is apparently unaffected by the changes operate by jumping worms . But for most plant life , a forest base depleted of its normal top layer is less hospitable for seed sprouting and industrial plant development . The heavy alimentation of jumping worm on leaf litter can unwrap the root arrangement of tree and reduce the fertility of our garden . Plant community may be alter by the reduced survival of fresh - bourgeon plants , ensue in atrophied aboriginal biodiversity in forest ecosystems . The threat posed by these jumping worms postulate our attention .
So what exactly is a demented jump dirt ball and how do you identify one?The jumping worms are three similar - looking mintage : Amynthas tokioensis , Amynthas agrestis , and Metaphire hilgendorfi , all of which are in the family Megascolecidae . They are all non - native specie , originating from Asia . But here ’s a surprisal : those earthworms we love to chance our in our gardens are evidently not aborigine either ; they are of European or Eurasian origin . just how and when skip over worm go far in the United States remains unclear , though scientist consider that nursery stock from Asia was the potential source . In any event , these worms have now spread into much of the easterly half of the country .
The main identifying feature of a jumping worm is itsclitellum . The jumping nightcrawler have aclitellumthat is circular and goesall the mode around the body . In the other earthworms we ’re accustomed to , the clitellum goes onlyhalfwayaround the dirt ball and may be bicycle seat - shaped . The clitellum of jumping worms is sick in color , and is smooth and flush with the rest of the soundbox . In other crawler , the clitellum is a inspissate hump that is cerise - pink or orange , may be ridged or else of smooth , and may protrude out from the quietus of the body . One final remainder : in jump worms , the clitellum is closer to the insect ’s head than is the case with other nightwalker .
In all species of fishworm , the clitellum secrete a little mucous secretion “ cocoon ” that encapsulates the egg . These spherical cocoons , about the sizing of a mustard seed , protect the ballock over wintertime . jump worm are believe to have a single generation each year , with the eggs hatching in the spring , and the worms reaching adulthood by summer , when they lay their eggs and then die during wintertime . Amynthasspp . are nonsexual and do not require a partner to multiply .
According to Dr. Matt Bertone , notall coinage of pass over worms “ flail about in answer to being disturb . Also some other types of worms behave unpredictably when touched or draw close . Thus the jumping doings is not always the best way to identify these earthworms . ” So we all need to brush up on our clitellum - identifying skills , and then share our expertise with neighbors , friend , and fellow gardeners .
A telling sign of the zodiac of a jumping worm invasionis bare ground covered with theircastings , which front like dry out coffee dry land . If you observe this phenomenon , you will want to confirm your suspicions . Mature adult jump worms are usually visible in former summertime , but if you ’re not seeing any , you cantreat the suspicious area with a admixture of one gallon of water and 1/3 cup of ground yellow mustard seed . Pour the mustard solution slowly over the orbit . If there are jumping worms in that location , they will be irritated and bring to the surface , where they can be roll up for identification . Note : this is not a means of managing these earthworms — it does not kill them — but merely a detection method acting .
presently there is no pesticide have a go at it to ascertain jumping worms . But Dr. Joseph Görres , fellow prof in the Plant & Soil Science Department at the University of Vermont , is currently research the use of thin out - hazard , biologic pesticides to manage jumping worm . regrettably , he reports that there is inadequate research funding useable from Union and state agencies .
If you do line up jumping worms on your property , move out and dispose of them to the maximal extent possible . right disposal method for chute worms let in :
Please report your find to your local Cooperative Extension business office . take on photos of the worm would be very helpful , especially if the clitellum can be clearly view on the louse . Also helpful : a unretentive video clip of the worm ’s behavior . If you could pull in a specimen , place it in rub alcohol and submit it to your local Cooperative Extension Office for identification and confirmation . specimen can be locate in a small feeding bottle , jarful , container , or a resealable plastic bag . The worm should be submerged completely in the rubbing alcohol to preserve it until it can be interpret by an expert . The Extension Office for Albemarle / Charlottesville is in the County Building on Fifth Street Extended ( 434 - 872 - 4580 ) , and the Horticultural Help Desk can be accomplish at ( 434 ) 872 - 4583 or albemarlevcehelpdesk@gmail.com .
Since thecocoons and ballock survive the winter , they are a winder to some variety of control . You may be able to pop the cocoons / eggs withsolarization ; recent research advise that heating the cocoon of jumping worms to somewhere around 104 ° farad for at least 3 solar day will belt down the cocoons . Read more about solarisation atUniv . California / Soil Solarization for Gardens & Landscapes .
Jumping dirt ball and their cocoon / nut can be spread via mulch , compost , nursery Malcolm stock , transplantation , and fishing bait . Some jumping worms have apparently been sold for bait , and expert mistrust that stick out worms may have been give up in some areas for this purpose . Nursery plants are believed to have been a major mode of travel for jumping worms . In fact , nursery plant life are believed to have been the source for the jump worms that have invaded the garden of a fellow Master Gardener . To help forbid further gap , scientists urge us to exercise circumspection in buying or share plants .
Concern about the impact of jump worms is growing ; in fact , a two - dayJumping worm Conferencehosted by the University of Massachusetts Extension in January of 2022 drew over 700 people . The conference generated an on-line tilt ofJumping Worm often postulate Questions & Answersthat is well worth reading . A major worry is the wallop of jump worm on our wood . Unless and until a workable treatment is available , we all call for to deliver in to help prevent the spreadhead of jumping worms , and there are indeed effectual measures we can take .
How to Prevent the Spread of Jumping Worms
“ Remember , if it has land , it can have jumping worms ! ” So says Dr. Matt Bertone , the director of the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University . Advice well worth remembering .
SOURCES :
“ Jumping Worms ( Amynthas spp.),”Va . Coop . Ext./ENTO-427
Video : Va. Coop . Ext / Fairfax County / microbe of the workweek : Asian Jumping Worm
“ Jumping / Crazy / Snake Worms – Amynthas spp . ,”University of Massachusetts Extension(helpful identification chart and photos )
“ Jumping Worms,”NC State Ext./Jumping worm
“ Invasive Worms , University of Vermont Entomology Research Laboratory
Jumping Worms Working Group / New York Invasive Species Research Institute
Video : video.cornell.edu / State of the Science : Jumping Worm Research & the JWORM Working Group
Virginia Cooperative Extension – Albemarle Office5th Street Albemarle County Office Building , 2nd floor460 Stagecoach Road , Charlottesville VA 2290
