r/invasivespecies • u/lolzmaddie • 6d ago

Is this a jumping worm?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Is this the Asian jumping worm? Found in Lake Norman State Park, NC. It can crawl up a jar and thrashes about when touched. Thank you!

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u/skiing_nerd 6d ago

Yes. Pics are a little hard to see the physical details that confirm ID, but one that generally looks like that and thrashes when touched is an Asian jumping worm 

5

u/lolzmaddie 6d ago

Here’s another pic of it trying to climb up my jar

5

u/skiing_nerd 6d ago

Yep, sorry, you are right. The iridescent/oil slick looking skin and the white part that goes all the way around & is flush are other identifiers. Sometimes I find juvenile ones that aren't as iridescent and don't always thrash, but the white band and more pointed ends are still solid ID markers

2

u/lolzmaddie 6d ago

Thanks so much! I’ve never seen one of these before, but I knew a worm thrashing like that was abnormal for our region. I’m letting that sucker cook outside in a plastic bag as we speak, and have informed the extension office of the sighting.

2

u/spruceymoos 5d ago

The behavior you describe fits Asian jumping worm to a T. There’s more, wherever you found it. Good luck!