A self-propelled earthworm is spreading in Connecticut, and researchers say it has the potential to damage landscapes and forest ecosystems.
Jumping bugs — also known as "crazy worms," "crazy snake worms," and "sharks on earth"—use their feces to make the soil look lifeless, looking like black grape nut grain.
State scientist Gail Ritchie wrote in a recent report: "They destabilize the soil, increase leaching and erosion of nutrients, increase vulnerability to drought, cause turf to fall off the soil, unstable rooting, dryness of roots and low germination rates." ”
These worms differ from Nightcrawlers and other native cousins in their milky white collars and strong, stiff bodies that whip violently when disturbed. Worms do not jump, but they can climb and are found on the upper floors of buildings.
These worms established in the Midwest and spread in the Northeast. Their activities caused the stone walls of New England to be torn down, and many native trees and plants were unable to sprout and grow normally on this altered soil. They spread throughout the state through potted plants and compost, but were concentrated on the coast and in Fairfield County.
Worms have the potential to wreak havoc on forest-ground ecosystems by altering soils, but also because they accumulate toxic metals such as mercury and lead, which are harmful to birds and other worm-feeding animals.
Local scholars are sounding the alarm in response to the emergence of these jumping insects.