by Prof. Josef Görres

Location: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier, VT

We tend to think of earthworms as positive, helpful creatures which build soil, improve fertility, improve aeration, store water and help their ecosystems. This is true for many of the 4,400 species of earthworms that have been identified worldwide, and the 19 species which live in Vermont, but is decidedly NOT true about an Asian species known as crazy snake worm, Amynthas agrestis. The common name de- scribes the snake-like side-to-side wiggle that they normally use to move, and the ‘crazy’ part refers to their gyrating antics when touched or disturbed. Josef Görres will speak about these alien earthworms which are rapidly spreading throughout Vermont (especially the Chittenden Co. and Upper Valley areas) and which negatively affect our forests and some garden plantings.

Feb 14 to 16, 2025

Feb 15, 2025, 2 to 3 PM

Feb 16, 2025, 8 AM to 2 PM