Invasive species have been in the news a lot lately. You’ve probably heard about the possibility of the Joro spider in Connecticut. Thankfully, those non-native arachnids don’t seem to be causing too much of a problem in the ecosystems where they’ve appeared so far. One invasive species that is most definitely causing issues in every area it’s appeared so far is the hammerhead worm. This slimy invertebrate is native to Asia and has been wreaking havoc on American soil ecosystems since it entered the country years ago.

The hammerhead worm is quite distinctive due to its unusually-shaped head. The worms vary in length, are thin, and typically come out at night.
gailhampshire/Wikimedia Commons
These worms are invasive species that have come over from their native countries in Asia. They've been in the U.S. for years, but their numbers are increasing.
Jean-Lou Justine​, Leigh Winsor, Delphine Gey, Pierre Gros, and Jessica Thévenot/Wikimedia Commons
Hammerhead worms are predatory to native earthworms. Their skin produces a toxin that essentially dissolves the earthworms into goo that the hammerhead worm then consumes.
Jean-Lou Justine​, Leigh Winsor, Delphine Gey, Pierre Gros, and Jessica Thévenot/Wikimedia Commons

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Native earthworms are beneficial to the soil: they compost organic matter and aerate the dirt. So far, hammerhead worms have shown no such benefits.
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You may be asking yourself "what do I do if I see hammerhead worms in Connecticut?"
നവനീത് കൃഷ്ണന്‍ എസ്/Wikimedia Commons
We are typically animal lovers here at Only In Connecticut, but this is one critter we'd love to see gone!
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Do not touch or pick up a hammerhead worm with your bare hands. The toxin that they secrete can be irritating to human skin. You also never want to cut them into pieces, as they reproduce asexually and will multiply if cut in half.

To properly kill a hammerhead worm, pick it up using a stick or piece of paper, then place it into a container of salt or vinegar solution. You can then seal the container and put it in your freezer for 24-48 hours to ensure that it has died.

Keep an eye out, as these invasive invertebrates can be plentiful in the spring and summer months! Have you spotted any hammerhead worms in Connecticut?

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