Friends From the Field: Invasive Jumping Worms

Biology, History, Identification and Management of Invasive Jumping Worms in Maine. Join Maine Forest Service Entomologist Brittany Schappach to learn about the biology, history, identification, and management of jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) in Maine. Jumping worms can have ecosystem impacts by rapidly changing forest soil composition, which affects soil nutrients and structure, organisms in the soil, and plant communities. Currently, there are established populations in York, Cumberland, Oxford, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Penobscot, and Hancock counties. In 2023, jumping worms were confirmed in over 80 new towns in the state.
Brittany Schappach is a Forest Entomologist in the Forest Health & Monitoring (FHM) programs for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry division of the Maine Forest Service. Brittany earned her M.S. in Entomology at the University of Maine where her research focused on the biophysical and social perceptions of blacklegged tick range expansion related to climate change. During her time attending UMaine, she was awarded the Fred Griffee Memorial Award for outstanding interdisciplinary graduate research and a certificate for her interdisciplinary studies. Brittany joined the Maine Forest Service in 2022 and has been primarily working with the public on education and outreach on invasive species such as browntail moth and jumping worms.

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I live in Mass & we have jumping worms where I live. I have a small yard with many gardens. I always keep a bucket of very soapy water in my veggie garden, ready to go for bad bugs. I started throwing the jumping worms in my soapy bucket water last yr. They don’t crawl out & have been dying in the soapy bucket water. I have noticed a huge reduction in JW this yr, in my raised beds & compost. Even more exciting I noticed a big increase of red wigglers, whose population was decimated. All your preventative tips are extremely helpful.