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Invasive species alert: Jumping worms in Cook & DuPage

Invasive species alert: Jumping worms in Cook & DuPage
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  • Invasive species alert: Jumping worms in Cook & DuPage

    Post #1 - April 6th, 2017, 12:40 pm
    Post #1 - April 6th, 2017, 12:40 pm Post #1 - April 6th, 2017, 12:40 pm
    Invasive Species Alert: Jumping Worm Confirmed in Two Counties in Illinois

    If you find any, there are pictures and contact information in the link.

    The earthworm is native to East Asia but has been sold in the United States as bait under the names crazy worm, Alabama jumper, and snake worms. The worm has characteristic coloration and behavior. When disturbed, jumping worms become very active, wriggling and thrashing vigorously. Adult worms are approximately the same size as the naturalized earthworms, but are much darker. Most of the tissue is dark grey/brown, with a milky white bad of tissue (the clitellum) circling the body. The clitellum is also smooth, compared to other species which are raised.

    Jumping worms are voracious consumers of organic material, affecting soil quality. They breed quickly and eggs can survive our winters. Adults reach maturity in approximately 60 days, allowing populations to double during the growing season. These worms are also capable of reproducing without mating. Concerns include the effect these worms will have on native areas, ornamental plantings, and agronomic fields. Recommendations to prevent the spread of jumping worms and their eggs include cleaning equipment before moving it to another site, reducing the transportation of mulch and soil, and carefully inspecting nursery plants before installing them in a new landscape.
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #2 - February 10th, 2020, 4:06 pm
    Post #2 - February 10th, 2020, 4:06 pm Post #2 - February 10th, 2020, 4:06 pm
    Jumping Word Handout

    Populations of jumping worms are known from other states, where they are considered to be highly invasive and detrimental. Investigations are still ongoing in Illinois and a project is underway to locate new populations of this species in Illinois. If anyone suspects they have a population of jumping worms, please contact Extension Forester Chris Evans (cwevans@illinois.edu or 618-695-3383) or the Plant Clinic (plantclinic@illinois.edu or 217-333-0519).
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #3 - February 11th, 2020, 12:00 am
    Post #3 - February 11th, 2020, 12:00 am Post #3 - February 11th, 2020, 12:00 am
    All that said, it's worth remembering that even regular earth worms are an invasive species. When I was in Minnesota this summer, I read warnings about how damaging earth worms are -- destroy the understory of the forest -- with requests that fishermen who might bring worms as bait take the worms home or destroy them, but do NOT just dump the worms out, figuring they're "natural."

    As for the jumping worms, one of the articles I read said to watch your car tires and shoes, if you go muddy places. And never bring a potted plant from somewhere else and empty out the dirt in your yard.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com

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