Introduction
To provide education on 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, has developed this professional development course. The course includes presentations from experts around the country about topics such as distribution and spread, methods of identification, environmental impact, economic impact, management, and participatory science initiatives.
Course Instructions
There are 11 units in this course. Each unit is made up of a pdf document, video, transcript, additional resources, and quiz. Please read/view all materials before attempting the quiz. At the end of the course, you will be prompted to enter your email address, which allows us to send you a certificate of completion.
Course Modules
Distribution and Spread in North America
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Josef Gorres, Assistant Professor at University of Vermont, and Erin Cameron, Associate Professor at St. Mary's University.
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Additional Resources
Chang, C.H., Johnston, M.R., Görres, J.H., Dávalos, A., McHugh, D. and Szlavecz, K., 2018. Co-invasion of three Asian earthworms, Metaphire hilgendorfi, Amynthas agrestis and Amynthas tokioensis in the USA
Cameron, E. K., Bayne, E. M., & Clapperton, M. J. (2007). Human-facilitated invasion of exotic earthworms into northern boreal forests. Ecoscience, 14(4), 482-490.
Chang, C. H., Bartz, M. L., Brown, G., Callaham Jr, M. A., Cameron, E. K., Dávalos, A., ... & Szlavecz, K. (2021). The second wave of earthworm invasions in North America: biology, environmental impacts, management and control of invasive jumping worms. Biological Invasions, 23(11), 3291-3322.
Invasion Outside North America
Module Content
Success of exotic earthworms in the Azores: the interplay of genetic diversity, human impact, and environmental factors
Presentation by Marta Novo, Professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Quiz
Additional Resources
Novo, M., Cunha, L., Maceda-Veiga, A., Talavera, J. A., Hodson, M. E., Spurgeon, D., ... & Kille, P. (2015). Multiple introductions and environmental factors affecting the establishment of invasive species on a volcanic island. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 85, 89-100.
Talavera, J. A., Cunha, L., Arévalo, J. R., Talavera, I. P., Kille, P., & Novo, M. (2020). Anthropogenic disturbance and environmental factors drive the diversity and distribution of earthworms in São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal). Applied Soil Ecology, 145, 103301.
Identification by Morphology
Module Content
Identification of pheretimoid earthworms of the continental US
Presentation by Bruce Snyder, Associate Professor at Georgia College and State University
Quiz
Additional Resources
Chang, C.H., Snyder, B.A. and Szlávecz, K., 2016. Asian pheretimoid earthworms in North America north of Mexico: an illustrated key to the genera Amynthas. Zootaxa, 4179(3), pp.495-529.
Callaham Jr, M. A., Snyder, B. A., James, S. W., & Oberg, E. T. (2016). Evidence for ongoing introduction of non-native earthworms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Biological invasions, 18(11), 3133-3136.
Blackmon, J. H., Taylor, M. K., Carrera-Martínez, R., Snyder, B. A., & Callaham, M. A. (2019). Temperature affects hatching success of cocoons in the invasive Asian earthworm Amynthas agrestis from the Southern Appalachians. Southeastern Naturalist, 18(2), 270-280.
Ecological Impacts - Erosion
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Rebecca Pinder, Professor at Columbia-Greene Community College
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Additional Resources
Pinder, R. A. (2013). Ecology of earthworms in riparian habitats. State University of New York at Albany.
Pinder, R. A., Groffman, P. M., & Robinson, G. (2008, August). PS 25-109: Streamside interactions among salamanders, earthworms, and soil nitrogen cycle processes. In The 93rd ESA Annual Meeting.
Ecological Impacts - Litter Communities
Module Content
Effect of jumping worm invasion on forest litter biodiversity in the Northeastern US
Presentation by Tim McCay, Professor at Colgate University
Additional Resources
McCay, T. S., & Scull, P. (2019). Invasive lumbricid earthworms in northeastern North American forests and consequences for leaf-litter fauna. Biological Invasions, 21(6), 2081-2093.
Homan, C., Beier, C., McCay, T., & Lawrence, G. (2016). Application of lime (CaCO3) to promote forest recovery from severe acidification increases potential for earthworm invasion. Forest ecology and management, 368, 39-44.
Bernard, M. J., Neatrour, M. A., & McCay, T. S. (2009). Influence of soil buffering capacity on earthworm growth, survival, and community composition in the Western Adirondacks and Central New York. Northeastern Naturalist, 16(2), 269-284.
Ecological Impacts - Plant Communities
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Annise Dobson, Assistant Dean of Research Programs and Associate Research Scientist at Yale University, Andrea Davalos, Associate Professor at SUNY Cortland, and Bradley Herrick, Director of University of Wisconsin Lakeshore Nature Preserve
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Additional Resources
Dobson, A.M., Blossey, B. and Richardson, J.B., 2017. Invasive earthworms change nutrient availability and uptake by forest understory plants. Plant and Soil, 421(1), pp.175-190.
Laushman, K.M., Hotchkiss, S.C. and Herrick, B.M., 2018. Tracking an invasion: community changes in hardwood forests following the arrival of Amynthas agrestis and Amynthas tokioensis in Wisconsin. Biological Invasions, 20(7), pp.1671-1685.
Frelich, L.E., Blossey, B., Cameron, E.K., Dávalos, A., Eisenhauer, N., Fahey, T., Ferlian, O., Groffman, P.M., Larson, E., Loss, S.R. and Maerz, J.C., 2019. Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17(9), pp.502-510.
Ecological Impacts - Microbial Community
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Katalin Szalvecz, Professor at Johns Hopkins University
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Additional Resources
Szlavecz, K., Placella, S. A., Pouyat, R. V., Groffman, P. M., Csuzdi, C., & Yesilonis, I. (2006). Invasive earthworm species and nitrogen cycling in remnant forest patches. Applied Soil Ecology, 32(1), 54-62.
Chang, C.H., Johnston, M.R., Görres, J.H., Dávalos, A., McHugh, D. and Szlavecz, K., 2018. Co-invasion of three Asian earthworms, Metaphire hilgendorfi, Amynthas agrestis and Amynthas tokioensis in the USA. Biological invasions, 20(4), pp.843-848.
Economic Impact
Module Content
The Price We Pay: Costs associated with jumping worm invasions
Presentation by Josef Gorres, Assistant Professor at University of Vermont
Additional Resources
Turbelin, A. J., Cuthbert, R. N., Essl, F., Haubrock, P. J., Ricciardi, A., & Courchamp, F. (2023). Biological invasions are as costly as natural hazards. Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, 21(2), 143-150.
Pimentel, D., Harvey, C., Resosudarmo, P., Sinclair, K., Kurz, D., McNair, M., ... & Blair, R. (1995). Environmental and economic costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits. Science, 267(5201), 1117-1123.
Management and Regulatory Status
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Vera Krischik, Associate Professor at University of Minnesota, and Laura van Riper, Terrestrial Invasive Species Program Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Title:
Presentation by Garima Gupta, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Minnesota, and Vera Krischik, Associate Professor at University of Minnesota
Video
Transcript
Quiz
Additional Resources
Link
Participatory Science
Module Content
Jumping Worms as Matchmakers: Elevating research in public gardens
Presentation by Erin Buchholz, IPM Specialist at University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Jumping Worms: An Extension Perspective
Presentation by Angela Gupta, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Hana Kim, University of Minnesota Extension Educator
Quiz
Additional Resources
Sentinel soil-plant continuum: how public gardens can advance early detection and monitoring of invasive jumping worms - Buchholz et al 2026
Emotional Support for People with Jumping Worms guide - UMN Extension
Plant sale guide to prevent the spread of jumping worms - UMN Extension, Angela Gupta and Laura van Riper
2025 Maine Workshop Outcomes
Module Content
Title:
Presentation by Hillary Peterson, Brittany Schappach, and Gary Fish, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
Video
Transcript
Quiz