You may have heard “jumping worms” or "snake worms" mentioned recently in Minnesota. These invasive earthworms (Amynthas and Metaphire spp.) have been showing up in gardens and landscapes across the state of Minnesota and disrupting the local ecosystems. Their quick population growth and unique jumping behavior can be frustrating or even stressful to property owners and other concerned people. However, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the spread and proliferation of jumping worms.
To provide education on these invasive jumping worms and gather current research on these species, the Krischik Lab at the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the Healthy Soil Collaborative, will host a Jumping Worm Workshop in 2026. Experts from around the country will present on their research related to jumping worms and their extensive impacts on ecosystems. The presentations will cover topics including distribution and spread, methods of identification, environmental impact, economic impact, management, and participatory science initiatives. With all of this information in one place, the lab hopes to provide a comprehensive guide to jumping worms for professionals, homeowners, and researchers. This workshop will also help raise awareness of the need for research funding on this invasive species.
The workshop will be published as a professional development course through the University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing & Professional Studies, where it will be available for continuing education credit (CEUs).
The Problem with Jumping Worms
Jumping worms are a group of species from east-central Asia that have come to North America through plants and soil containing cocoons or even adult worms. Jumping worms live at the surface layer of the soil and consume the organic layer, changing many soil attributes in the process. Soil inhabited by jumping worms can have decreased litter depth, increased soil pH, altered nutrient availability, and a coarser soil texture (like that of coffee grounds). These impacts make it difficult for plants to take root and grow, especially in forest ecosystems. Once established, jumping worm populations can continue to grow and harm native species.
Workshop Speakers
Our workshop contains 14 presentations from professionals involved in a broad range of jumping worm research and management.
Josef Gorres, University of Vermont, and Erin Cameron, St. Mary’s University, presented on the topic of spread and distribution of jumping worms in North America. Their extensive research on the topic will shed some light on the introduction of jumping worm to North America and what factors contribute to the successful invasion of these worms across the continent.
Bruce Snyder, Georgia College and State University, presented on the identification of jumping worms, highlighting the difficulties of morphological identification and best practices for determining jumping worm species.
Marta Novo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, discussed her research on earthworm diversity in the Azores Islands. The main drivers of earthworm communities were evaluated as well as the lineages of megascolecids, determining their genetic diversity and patterns of introduction.
Tim McCay, Colgate University, talked about the impacts of jumping worm invasion on forest litter biodiversity.
Rebecca Pinder, Columbia-Greene Community College, presented on the topic of jumping worm impact on erosion, primarily in forest ecosystems.
Katalin Szlavecz, Johns Hopkins University, discussed how the soil microbial composition is altered by the invasion of jumping worms.
Annise Dobson, Yale University, Andrea Davalos, SUNY Cortland, and Bradley Herrick, University of Wisconsin-Madison, talked about the effects of jumping worms on plant community composition and survival.
Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota, and Laura van Riper, Minnesota DNR, presented their perspective on jumping worm regulatory status and quarantine practices. Since 2014, jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) have been listed as a prohibited invasive species in order to limit their spread and continued introduction. These experts show how these regulations and public initiatives are effective in that mission and what future strategies can be implemented.
Garima Gupta and Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota, talked about their research in jumping worm management and the potential chemical options for their control. Though no pesticides are currently labeled for use against jumping worms, they are evaluating the efficacy of existing pesticides and a promising product called tea seed meal.
Angela Gupta and Hana Kim, University of Minnesota Extension, presented on how volunteers can provide valuable information on worm spread and management, as well as a project using data from volunteers to better understand soil erosion caused by jumping worms.
Erin Buchholz, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, provides information on how public gardens and arboreta can be utilized in research, and what public gardens around the US know about jumping worms.
Hillary Peterson, Brittany Schappach, and Gary Fish from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry presented on the outcomes of their 2025 jumping worm workshop entitled “Jumping Worms: A Conversation: What We Know & What We’re Learning”. Participants of the 2025 workshop were sent a survey 1 year after the event to evaluate knowledge gain and practice changes around jumping worms.
Krischik Lab Research - University of Minnesota
Current research in the Krischik Lab focuses on chemical management options of jumping worms. As of August 2026, there are no products registered in the USA that are labeled for the control of jumping worms. When individuals who find these invasive earthworms, there are limited options available to them for management. By testing a variety of commercially available chemicals, the Krischik Lab seeks to identify a product that can be registered for use in nurseries or gardens to get rid of jumping worms. The most promising chemical is a product called tea seed meal, a byproduct of tea oil extraction. This natural product has been historically used as a fertilizer but has also been shown to limit the number of jumping worms and their castings. Through lab testing, the lab is working to evaluate this product’s efficacy and if proven effective, assist in the product’s registration with the EPA.
Resources for Jumping Worm Information
For more information on jumping worms, earthworm identification, and to track their spread, check out the following links.
- Healthy Soil Collaborative
- Meet the Jumping Worm - University of Minnesota Jumping Worms Project
- Jumping Worm – Minnesota DNR
- Jumping worms - University of Minnesota Extension, Angela Gupta and Laura van Riper
- Map of jumping worm sightings and reporting system - EDDMapS
- Jumping worms | Amynthas spp. - Wisconsin DNR
- Invasive Species for Homeowners: Asian Jumping Worm - Jumping Worm Outreach, Research, & Management Working Group
- Jumping/Snake (Amynthas) Worms in Maine - Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
- iNaturalist jumping worm photo guide and evaluation of Computer Vision earthworm identification
Jumping Worm Workshop Menu
Workshop Course Content
This page contains documents, videos, and information that will be incorporated into the professional development course.
Registration Information
Still in development as of August 2026, you will soon be able to register for the online jumping worm workshop through the University of Minnesota professional development.
Check back again soon!