Invasive jumping worms pose growing threat to Michigan’s ecosystems

EAST LANSING, MI – Dozens of reports of invasive jumping worms across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula – and a few in the Upper – are raising concerns about damages to the state’s natural ecosystems.

“Invasive Asian jumping worms got their name because of the way they thrash around,” said Mac Callaham, a U.S. Forest Service researcher who specializes in soils. “They can flip themselves a foot off the ground.”

Invasive jumping worms have various common names in the U.S., such as Alabama jumpers, disco worms, Jersey wrigglers, crazy worms, snake worms and even wood eels for species found inside rotting logs.

Officials with Michigan State University Extension say they are receiving more reports from across the state of several species of invasive jumping worms, which are native to Japan’s grassl