Invasive Asian jumping worms inching across US to New York region
Asian jumping worms, an invasive species known for their aggressive behavior and rapid spread, are advancing across the U.S., reaching the New York region. These worms consume leaf litter and mulch voraciously, degrading soil quality and disrupting ecosystems. Experts warn against moving soil or plants to prevent further spread, as there is currently no effective method to fully eradicate them.
- ▪Asian jumping worms have spread to 38 states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, since arriving in the early 1900s.
- ▪They reproduce without mates and can be transported unknowingly in soil, mulch, or potted plants from nurseries.
- ▪The worms destroy soil structure by consuming organic matter, leaving behind soil resembling dry coffee grounds that is unsuitable for plant growth.
- ▪They can thrash violently, jump up to a foot in the air, and are distinguished by a white band near their head.
- ▪Experts recommend sealing the worms in a plastic bag and leaving it in the sun or drowning them in soapy water to kill them.
- ▪Regulatory gaps exist, as few states officially recognize earthworms as invasive despite their ecological damage.
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US News Invasive Asian jumping worms inching across US to New York region By Jeanne Erickson Published May 16, 2026, 11:16 a.m. ET They can flip themselves a foot off the ground, shed their own tails and reproduce without a mate — and right now these invaders are inching their way to your backyard garden or local park. The Asian jumping worm has made its way from California through 38 states, including New York and New Jersey and Connecticut, according to agriculture experts. Known scientifically as Amynthas agrestis, these creepy crawlers arrived on ships in the early 1900s in potted plants from the Far East and have picked up a laundry list of nicknames — Alabama jumpers, Jersey wrigglers, snake worms and the oh-so-fitting “crazy worms.” 3 The Asian Jumping worm has a white band to…
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