Posted on 05/24/2022 11:18:12 AM PDT by deport
Gardners beware -- the invasive Amynthas agrestis, also known as the Asian jumping worm, could be wiggling around a garden near you. These worms are known for their insatiable appetite and ability to jump a foot in the air. Yes, you read that right.
"True to their name, they jump and thrash immediately when handled, behaving more like a threatened snake than a worm, sometimes even breaking and shedding their tail when caught," said the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in a report.
As if that's not disconcerting enough, the worms "are extremely active, aggressive, and have voracious appetites," the CDFA warned in the report.
(Excerpt) Read more at accuweather.com ...
Asian Carp love 'em...
Diversity and Inclusion are always good.
Why are we not busing these worms to DC ?
Think of them as “land lampreys”. They’re no big sweat if they bite you on the arm or leg, just grab them and tear them off. But if they bite on to your torso when sleeping, and you don’t get them off fast enough, before their anesthetic saliva keeps you down, they will liquefy your internal organs and suck them out.
I read somewhere long ago that the earthworm is an invasive species in the Americas brought in by the evil Europeans. So now we have another yellow peril?
If I’d just come across them, I’d have BOTH feet in the air!
"Amynthas agrestis, more commonly known as the Asian jumping worm or crazy worm, is a species of invasive earthworm. They are relatively new in the United States and can be found in the Southeast, along the Eastern Seaboard, in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and some Northwestern states. They outcompete native earthworm species by taking over a section of the forest floor until the resources have been exhausted before moving on to another section of forest. They have a devastating effect on forest floor substrate and the vital nutrients that make up the food web of the forest as a whole. (Add in text citations - Leanne)
Great bait- fish see that wiggle and go nuts!
Oh the memories!
When Dad would feed them, he’d cram the food down. If baby couldn’t swallow it fast enough, he’d pull it back and repeat with another hatch. Man..
Momma was way more compassionate and patient.
I see four! The lowest one probably had to wait til next time.
I learned all of this right at my front door, lol.
So far just Earthworms, Night Crawlers (THOSE are fun to catch for fish bait with a flashlight after a rainy night) and Red Wigglers for me.
I’ll be face-down in the dirt next week putting in my tomatoes and peppers, so I’ll keep a sharp eye. :)
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