Snake worms an American threat
by Tyler Ainsworth
Worms may seem like innocent little dirt dwellers and to the human eye pose no harm but with recent studies, these new species of the worm could devastate American ecosystems.
There are three invasive jumping worm species one of the biggest being the Asian jumping worm. They are in many states already and you probably have come across them. They have a more rounded figure and when picked up or agitated they can do either of the three or all three, squirm like a frantic snake, secret a mucusy slime or three detach the tail. They also move around like a snake hence the name snake worms.
Why these snake worms are a threat, at first they may seem like normal everyday worms but they were not made for American soil, worms are meant to recycle dirt and compost their landscape but when their poop is secreted its is more pellety and almost like ground beef. This is bad because over time this type of soil is prone to erosion and makes native plants and seedlings become bare as the dirt becomes inhabitable.
What are some differences between native and invasive? Well, a “native” worm that isn’t as damaging is the European nightcrawler, they are big in size and also tend to have a slimmer figurine and move more as a worm should. The invasive species spreads fastest because of humans and our movement as they have tiny cocoon-like eggs that can easily be in dirt tracked from shoes, mud etc…
Lastly, why is this so bad for the ecosystems? Well, these little guys have microbes in them to break down dirt and compost, and in studies done those microbes produce a heavy amount of nitrogen compared to carbon dioxide. Nitrogen is needed for plant function but too much can suffocate them. The other reason there bad in wooded areas is because of the leaf zone, this is a small layer of decaying matter such as leaves, plants, and sticks that is a shelter to many forest bugs and decomposers and these jumping worms eat up that layer leaving exposure and less of a home for plants.
What are some ways to prevent spread?
What climate is the most suitable v.s. Non-suitable?
Have you ever came across these worms?
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/jumping-snake-worms-are-invading-u-s-forests
I have seen them, I did not know that those were a invasive species. I would think that creating a substance that can be sprayed in the ground to kill them but I would think their would be thousands or millions of them already.
ReplyDelete-Angeline Upchurch
Warm and humid climates are suitable for these worms, they come from Asia. They likely are making their way into America due to climate change and warming environments. It would be possible to remove these worms by capturing them or introducing natural predators (which may have other repercussions). Fighting climate change may reduce their ability to thrive in America. I have personally seen these worms.
ReplyDelete- Carissa Bersche
I think a way to stop spreading these worms is to stop dumping them during fishing and to get new plants from a rebuttable nursery. Also we should wash offs our shoes/ leave them in s safe environment to kill the eggs. From this article they thrive in warmer climates which the Midwest has. And I feel I have come across them many times thinking they where native worms.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting, I can't say I've seen them before for sure but they definitely look familiar. To prevent the spread, I would say specifically if you are in muddy areas to wash and clean off your shoes, or take your shoes off before you come inside your house. I wonder if there's a pesticide to help kill these snake worms, but the pesticide would have to somehow be made to target only snake worms and not effect other organisms.
ReplyDeleteTrinity Mathis
I don't think I've ever come across these snake worms before. I guess one way to stop the spread is to stomp on them whenever I see them. The snake worms got in the US through the potted plant industry, as well as by fishermen who buy the worm to use as bait. So being more careful where we buy bait from could prevent the spread.
ReplyDelete-Ilori
i personally have never come across these worms, and as for containment i think it would be important to identify WHERE they are found, and possibly set up systems that will catch them. i recall seeing that vibrations in the ground make worms dig to the surface. - Nathan Clark
ReplyDeleteSince they're very prevalent in Asia, I'm guessing they prefer tropical climates over frigid or cold ones. And I sure hope I never see one of those, they're so gross... -Shirin Saha
ReplyDelete