Whether you ’re a professional cultivator or more of a perfunctory backyard nurseryman like I am , you ’re likely already on the observatory for variousinvasive plantsand insects . Many of these are plainly nuisance which we finally memorise to manage . But others — including the mintage jointly known as Asian jump worms — are doing significant damage to our forests and farmland .
Someresearchers suggestthat at least three Asiatic jumping worm species may have get along with Japanesecherry treesdonated to Washington , D.C. , and Bethesda , Maryland , in the early 1900s . In the ensuing decade , many more jump worms have hobble rides in potted plant and bag soil products imported from Asia .
Warming temperatures and changing weather condition pattern also may add to the spread of these invasives . At present , various Asian jump worm specie have been discovered in virtually 40 states and in southern Canada .
European Worms
It ’s worth noting that , although we carry to see nightcrawlers and other types of earthworms slow plowing through the organic thing in our ground , “ our ” worm are n’t native to North America either . During aDecember 2022 presentation on Asian jump worms , Bob Bruner explained , “ The worms that we have [ in the United States ] are almost entirely European worms . ”
Bruner serves as alien wood cuss specializer in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University . He continues , “ Most of the North Americannativeworm species were do away with in glaciation . ” Although European worms are n’t native to the U.S. , Bruner says , “ They have accommodate to our environment over the class of several hundred years . European insect can aid aerate soil — they can do a lot of beneficial thing . Whereas Asiatic jumping dirt ball ruin soil in footing of being able to develop plants that we require there . ”
To empathise why Asian jumping dirt ball are so tough , it helps to compare their habits and lifecycle to those of European earthworms .
Read more : Use worm weigh to measure your soil ’s health .
Differing Habits, Lifecycles
Unlike European worms , Asiatic jumping worms remain at or very near the soil ’s surface — unremarkably in very big number . As a result , they can quickly devour many bed of leaf litter . They then leave big quantities of grainy , nutrient - pathetic castings behind . Soil that is infested with Asian jump worms may have the consistency of exquisitely grate coffee or guts . It is more susceptible to erosion and the result of drouth .
By contrast , European worms burrow up and down through the top 4 to 6feetof grunge . After feed on dead plant and leaf above earth , these earthworms burrow back down , create vertical channels as they go . These channels benefit plant by facilitating improved aeration as well as access to water and nutrients via the worm ’ nutritive - rich castings .
“ European louse castings … tend to be partly digested , ” Bruner say . “ They furnish nitrogen in a way that ’s more easily approachable by plants . ”
For now , adult jump worms ca n’t outlive the hard freeze of winter . But their egg casingscansuccessfully overwinter even in very cold-blooded climates . ( Depending on the species , a single jumping worm may be capable to grow 10 to 50 cocoon per year . ) What ’s more , these cocoon are midget — and , therefore , well moved from situation to property in stain , compost , leaf litter and even via the soles of our shoes .
Spotting Jumping Worms
While European earthworms gradually prompt themselves through the ground , jumping worms flip and slither with snake- or eel - like movement . ( In fact , they ’re sometimes also call “ disco worms , ” “ disturbed worms ” or “ snake in the grass insect ” because they can move so erratically . )
Aside from their unusual movements , jumping worms also look markedly dissimilar . While European wiggler are reddish - pinkish , segmented and moist , Asiatic jumping twist range from dark brown to disconsolate grayness and look much smoother . The jumping worm also has a very noticeable , weak - colored circle that wraps all the means around and is flush with the rest of its eubstance .
On a European earthworm , this lot is slightly raised and its coloring does n’t counterpoint as much with the rest of its body .
Read more : Build your soil health naturally with probiotic farming .
Prevention Pointers
The best ways to forbid the spread of jumping worms ? Purchase spare theme store rather than potted plants in Holy Order to avoid potentially infested soil . Also , use only your own compost or compost from a trust source .
If you buy bagged compost , dirt or mulch , leave the bags out in the sunshine for several days . utmost oestrus will toss off Asian jumping insect and any cocoon that may be present .
Finally , if you discover that Asian jump worms have already made their way to your garden , touch officials at your local extension officefor guidance .
