Land Mollusks and Worms - invasive

Crazy Snake Worm (jumping worm) (Amynthas spp.) on Jul 16, 2022

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Multiple Asian jumping worms found in old decaying pile of wet yard debris (leaves mostly and pine needles).

Commentary

Thank you for your report! From your description it does sound like jumping worms. There are more than 10 species in North American commerce and only one has been documented in Oregon, so we are interested in getting specimens to try and keep track of species present. If you are able to take a specimen (collect in a water-tight container with isopropyl alcohol) I can tell you where to send it in to the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture.

Lindsey Wise
July 18, 2022, 1:52 a.m.

Remedy

Due to the difficulty in removing worms once established, the focus is on preventing the spread once they are established in an area. See the Jumping Worms fact sheet for Homeowners from the Jumping Worm Outreach, Research, & Management Working Group for tips.

Resources

Also called Jumping Worm, these worms are known for their erratic jumping movements when disturbed. Learn more about how to compare jumping worms with some other commonly encountered worms in Oregon, along with other facts and fun activities, from this publication: Jumping Worms: a guide to identifying a new invasive species in the Pacific Northwest

More information can also be found at: Chicago Botanical Garden crazy snake worm info.

Location

Multiple Asian jumping worms found in old decaying pile of wet yard debris (leaves mostly and pine needles).

Expert Reviewer

Mrs. Lindsey Wise
Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, inr.oregonstate.edu/orbic
Oregon iMapInvasives
Institute for Natural Resources
Portland State University

© 2025 Portland State University | Contact us for questions regarding site content