Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 9225458
Rustic Jumping Worm
Amynthas agrestisAlso known as Asian Jumping Worm, Crazy Worm, Snake Worm, Alabama Jumper
Rustic jumping worms thrash wildly like snakes and can shed tail segments when threatened. Native to East Asia, these invasive earthworms voraciously devour forest leaf litter, altering topsoil structure into coarse granules that deplete nutrients for native seedlings. Their smooth, milky-white clitellum completely encircles the body near the head, distinguishing adults from common European earthworms.
InvasiveSoil-DwellingRapid Mover
1 / 4—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Leaf Litter
- Soil Microbes
- Organic Mulch
Predators
- Toads
- Garter Snakes
- Ground Birds
ThreatsEradication management and harsh winter freezes
HabitatsDeciduous forests, gardens, nurseries, and compost piles
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCrassiclitellata
- FamilyMegascolecidae
- GenusAmynthas
- SpeciesAmynthas agrestis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for a smooth, flush, milky-white band that completely encircles the body near the head.
- Prevention: Clean footwear and gardening tools to avoid transporting tiny cocoon eggs to uninfested areas.
- Containment: Solarize captured specimens in a sealed bag under direct sunlight before disposal.
Competitor (c) alicia penney, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by alicia penney · cc-by
Close Relative (c) geosesarma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by geosesarma · cc-by
Close Relative (c) geosesarma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by geosesarma · cc-by
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Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
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