By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Researchers have found that two invasive species of worms that attracted national attention thanks to their “ewwww factor,” have something in common, said Vic Ford, extension head of agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Both the hammerhead worm, with its half-moon-shaped head, and the jumping worm, an earthworm known for thrashing about when disturbed, have been in the news around the country as people or their pets find them.
Hammerhead worms, native to Asia, may have been present in Arkansas for decades. The jumping worm, a native of Asia, was first noted in the U.S. sometime in the early 1900s, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
What do they have in common?
“The two species evolved together and one is a predator of the other,” Ford said. “The hammerhead worm was introduced first and may lead to control of the second species, the jumping worms.”
“The introduction of two species from the same part of the world may have some interesting implications for ecosystems here in North America,” Ford said, adding that researchers are still studying the two invasive species and “as of now, we are unsure what the impacts will be on the natural systems where both are found.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.