''Amynthas agrestis'', the Asian jumping worm,
[The species goes by many common names, including the rustic jumping worm, the Alabama jumper, and the Asian crazy worm.] is a species of worm in the family
Megascolecidae
The Megascolecidae is a taxonomic family of earthworms which is native to Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and both South East Asia and North America. All species of Megascolecidae belong to the Clitellata class. Megascolecidae are a large fam ...
. They have a smooth, glossy grey or brown body with a milky white
clitellum
The clitellum is a thickened glandular and non-segmented section of the body wall near the head in earthworms and leeches, that secretes a viscid sac in which eggs are stored. It is located near the anterior end of the body, between the fourteent ...
,
and can range from in length.
''Amynthas agrestis'' is native to Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and was introduced to North America due to increased human activity during the 19th century;
it is considered to be an
invasive species in the United States
Invasive species are a significant threat to many native habitats and species of the United States and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. The term "invasive species" can refer to introduced/naturalized species, feral sp ...
. Worms within the genus ''
Amynthas
''Amynthas'' is a genus of earthworms in the family Megascolecidae. They are known as jumping worms, snake worms, or crazy worms because of their erratic thrashing behaviour when disturbed. The genus is native to East Asia, but they are invasive ...
'' (jumping worms) reproduce and develop quicker than their European counterparts.
Ecology
The ''Amynthas agrestis'' became a problem in the United States, specifically the Southern United States, during the 19th century. There is increasing concern about this invasive species.
One of the main concerns is the over-consumption of leaf litter, which will impact the microbial and species diversity of the native soil. Many of these ecological scientists have created ways to control this invasive species. One of the main ways to control ''Amynthas agrestis'' is
controlled burn
A controlled or prescribed burn, also known as hazard reduction burning, backfire, swailing, or a burn-off, is a fire set intentionally for purposes of forest management, farming, prairie restoration or greenhouse gas abatement. A contro ...
in grassy fields and some forests. This method removes leaf litter, the main food source for ''Amynthas agrestis,'' which should thoroughly control the overall population of Asian worms.
Life cycle
The Asian jumping worm follows an annual life cycle. At least six months out of the year, it spends its time in the larval stage, then adults appear between May and June.
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Notes
References
Megascolecidae
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