Crazy Worm Castings - Amynthas sp., likely from Amynthas agrestis

This isn’t just a pile of dirt. It’s earthworm castings (frass). I suspect it’s from the crazy worm (Amynthas agrestis). They are called ‘crazy’ because these earthworms thrash around violently when handled. They are incredibly invasive and can rapidly consume organic materials. They have been spread through waterways and by the movement of plants, soil, and compost due to human agricultural and horticultural practices.

The forest floor includes a layer of organic matter in different stages of decomposition. It protects against erosion, provides the habitat for plants to germinate and grow, is home to creatures like salamanders, in addition to other soil organisms.

The presence of these earthworms in the soil can have a devastating impact on the forest floor habitat. Their feeding and burrowing activities compact the forest soil, which can eventually decimate the forest floor habitat. Here are some specific impacts:

-Earthworms reduce organic matter and replace them with castings (frass) which leads to drier, warmer soil
-Their ingestion changes the proportions and conditions for bacteria and fungi in the soil, which leads to poor soil health and reduced plant growth
-They reduce the presence of soil arthropods

Habitat: Mixed forest