While worms have a reputation as a helpful species found in the soil ecosystem, invasive jumping worms do not live up to that standard, Bruner explained. Jumping worms will consume all organic material from the top layer of soil, leaving behind a coffee ground-like waste with no nutrients for plants or seeds.<\/p>\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jumpingwormbluebackground-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/div>\nSince jumping worms stay within the first few inches of topsoil, they are not creating channels for water and air the way earthworms do, disrupting water flow to plant roots.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo basically, they\u2019re just very nasty pests that ruin the quality of our soil, and the only thing that can really grow in soil like that are essentially invasive plants, or species that are meant to survive really harsh conditions,\u201d Bruner said.<\/p>\n
Currently, the worms are being found in cities around southern Indiana, he said, particularly in Terre Haute. There is still much to learn about jumping worms, making eradication efforts difficult. One thing that is known, Bruner said, is they aren\u2019t a migrating species.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the kind of invasive pest that is moved almost entirely through human activity. They don\u2019t crawl superfast,\u201d he explained. \u201cSo, when they move, that means they\u2019re moving because we\u2019re transferring soil, say, from someone\u2019s plants or someone\u2019s compost and we\u2019re bringing them to a new area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Any invasive species sightings should be reported to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at\u00a0depp@dnr.in.gov<\/a>\u00a0or by calling 1-866-663-9684.<\/p>\n For full article with additional photos view: Gardeners asked to be vigilant this spring for invasive jumping worms<\/a>, Purdue College of Agriculture News.<\/p>\n Other\u00a0Resources: Jillian Ellison<\/a>, Agricultural Communication
\n<\/strong>Fall webworms: Should you manage them?<\/a>, Purdue Landscape Report
\nMimosa Webworm<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
\nSod Webworms<\/a>, Turf Science at Purdue University
\nBagworm caterpillars are out feeding, be ready to spray your trees<\/a>, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
\nPurdue Plant Doctor App Suite<\/a>, Purdue Extension-Entomology
\nLandscape & Ornamentals: Bagworms<\/a>, The Education Store
\nWhat are invasive species and why should I care?<\/a> (How to report invasives.), Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
\nIndiana Invasive Species Council<\/a>
\nReport Invasive Species<\/a>, Purdue Invasive Species
\nThe GLEDN Phone App<\/a> \u2013 Great Lakes Early Detection Network
\nEDDMaps<\/a> \u2013 Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
\nIndiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species<\/a>
\nIndiana Invasive Species Council<\/a>
\nCooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)<\/a>
\nAsk An Expert<\/a>,\u00a0Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources<\/p>\n
\nPurdue College of Agriculture<\/p>\n