Invasive jumping worms that 'thrash wildly' when handled reported in several US states By Kelly Hayes Jumping worms that writhe when handled are highly invasive, experts say Jumping worms are native to East Asia, but they have been sold in the U.S. as fishing bait and are now deemed highly invasive, expert say. An invasive species known as "jumping worms" that violently writhe when handled and are known to cause problems in garden soils and forest floors have been reported in multiple U.S. states. This earthworm species from the genus Amynthas are native to East Asia, but they have been sold in the U.S. as fishing bait and are now deemed highly invasive, according to Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, a horticulture educator at the University of Illinois.