jumping worm
noun
plural jumping worms
: any of several species of eastern Asian earthworms (such as Amynthas agrestis, A. tokioensis, and Metaphire hilgendorfi) that thrash about or jump into the air when disturbed and that have become invasive in the U.S. through contaminated horticultural and agricultural products
Jumping worms have a milky-white and smooth narrow band (clitellum) that surrounds the entire circumference of the body. Other earthworm species have a raised clitellum.—
Donald Lewis and Laura Jesse Ile
Donald Lewis and Laura Jesse IleJumping worms can be easily seen when a mulch layer is raked aside. They move quickly, aggressively writhing, slithering side to side and jumping up off the soil.—Phyllis Pugnutti
Phyllis PugnuttiThe jumping worm may be famous for the thrashing behavior that gives it its name, but it is infamous for the impact it is having on the earth and soils it moves through.—Sarah Bowman
Sarah Bowmancalled also crazy worm, snake worm
Examples of jumping worm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, some ongoing research suggests that mixing biochar and diatomaceous earth into infested soils may help control jumping worms.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
Soil Pests Invasive jumping worms have been causing an uproar in gardening communities recently, and there are no approved pesticides for these soil-dwelling pests at this time.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
The jumping worms are eating through and degrading Indiana's soil.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024
There’s no really effective way to get rid of the jumping worms, Pettinelli said.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2024
Invasive jumping worms often have a gray or milky white clitellum band that's flat against the rest of their bodies.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 10 July 2023
Right now, it's believed that the Asian jumping worm made its way to America in the early 1900s, tucked away in the soil of a potted plant.
—Christina Montoya Fiedler, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2023
How to identify Asian jumping worms The good news is, these worms are easy to spot thanks to their odd movements and a light brown band near the head.
—Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2023
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
Soil Pests Invasive jumping worms have been causing an uproar in gardening communities recently, and there are no approved pesticides for these soil-dwelling pests at this time.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
The jumping worms are eating through and degrading Indiana's soil.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024
There’s no really effective way to get rid of the jumping worms, Pettinelli said.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2024
Invasive jumping worms often have a gray or milky white clitellum band that's flat against the rest of their bodies.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 10 July 2023
Right now, it's believed that the Asian jumping worm made its way to America in the early 1900s, tucked away in the soil of a potted plant.
—Christina Montoya Fiedler, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2023
How to identify Asian jumping worms The good news is, these worms are easy to spot thanks to their odd movements and a light brown band near the head.
—Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jumping worm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Jumping worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jumping%20worm. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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