Jumping Worms Survey | Accent on Natural Landscaping

Although I don’t believe I have jumping worms in my yard, I am aware that others in my circle of friends do, so I thought participating in this survey from UW Arboretum might be appropriate.

“Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) are an invasive group of earthworms from Asia. They were officially confirmed in Wisconsin in 2013. Jumping worms can rapidly consume the leaf litter in forests, lead to the loss of soil nutrients, and out-compete other earthworm species. The jumping worm is also of growing concern to gardeners and homeowners who worry about potential damaging effects to their property. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Vermont, are conducting a survey to determine how extensively these earthworms have spread in the state.

We ask that you please complete the on-line jumping worm questionnaire to help us understand where these new species of earthworms have spread. We especially welcome your observations regarding changes in land cover and land use history in locations where these jumping worms have become abundant. This survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

If you have questions about the survey, please email Brad Herrick.” (UW Arboretum)

“The invasive jumping worm (genus *Amynthas*)….Jumping worms may be distinguished from other earthworms by their startling, rapid, snake-like movement when disturbed. They squirm violently when handled, sometimes leaping from one’s hand or shedding their tail. They move quickly along the ground with a side-to-side motion. The appearance of a light, milky-white (sometimes light pink) band near the head signifies when these worms have become adults. This band is usually distinctive by color and wraps completely around their body like a smooth bracelet. In other earthworms, the band only stretches half or three quarters of the way around the body, is usually raised, and is similar in color to the rest of the body. In this way, mature jumping worms look unlike any other earthworm species of comparable size. In Wisconsin, many adult jumping worms are approximately 3 inches, but may range in size from 1.5 to nearly 8 inches.” (UW Arboretum Jumping Worm Questionnaire)

Thank you Laurie Yahr for making me aware of this survey.

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