KidsPost A jumping worm is the next garden threat You may soon be seeing the squirmy Amynthas agrestis in your garden.

Jumping worms consume the organics in the upper part of the soil. This removes any nutrients and erodes the soil. Their castings look more like evenly spread coffee grounds.

Unlike most earthworms found in the Garden State (none of which are native), jumping worms live and feed close to the soil surface.

As they devour their way through the soil, the worms leave two things behind: cocoons and castings. The cocoons are tiny and soil-colored, so they are easy to miss.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.

Scientists say the jumping worm has been in North America since the 19th century but has only recently been flagged as a problem.