Michigan officials keep watch for invasive Asian jumping worms. What to know

An invasive Asian earthworm is causing environmental damage, and officials are taking notice of its presence in Michigan.

" Michigan State University Extension is beginning to receive sporadic reports of invasive jumping worms within some regions of the state," the Extension said in an October press release.

While nearly all earthworms found in North America were introduced from Europe or elsewhere, the Asian worms, introduced in the late 1800s, are known as jumping worms, Alabama jumpers, disco worms, Jersey wrigglers, crazy worms, snake worms and even wood eels for species found inside rotting logs. They're causing damage to the environment more quickly than other arrivals.