Amynthas sp is a genus of earthworm part of the large Megascolecidae family, which is native to Southeast and East Asia. In addition to being invasive to some northeastern areas, these earthworms can also be found spread in some southern states of America. They live on the soil surface and feed on organic material mixed in the soil. They are very fast moving earthworms and can reach up to 7 inches.
Also called nightcrawler, common earthworm or lob worm, this is the most common of all worm species found in northeast U.S. Native to Europe, this species
lives in deep vertical burrows, which can reach 10 feet in depth. Lumbricus terrestris are able to anchor themselves by broadening their tail, thus gripping the burrow walls. Their diet consists of leaves and other plant-decaying material. The typical adult size is about 5 inches in length.
Also called European earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus is purplish to reddish-brown, reaching from 2.3 inches to 5.9 inches in length and up to 0.2 inches wide. Although useful for agriculture in aerating the soils, this species can also transmit plant and animal pathogens. They are also known to help disperse weed seeds in gardens and collapse irrigation ditches. This earthworm can destroy specialized plant communities, such as the rare goblin fern, Botrychium mormo, native of the Great Lakes region.
Dendrobaena octaedra was one of the first earthworm species to arrive with settlers in northeastern states. Native of Northern Europe and cold-tolerant, this species is abundant in forests and leaf litter, its main diet. Also called octagonal-tailed worm, it is relatively small, reaching 1 inch in length when adult. The upper surface of the body is dark in color, and its tail is octagonal in cross-section. Aporrectodea sp is another species with similar habits, also found in America's northeastern forests. When this species become abundant in one area, they cause soil erosion and leaching of nutrients, reducing the productivity of forests.