Dendrodrilus rubidus is a small, litter dwelling earthworm native to Europe that has invaded areas of Australia, South America, Canada, Russian Federation United States and a large number of sub-Antarctic islands. The combined impacts of this species and other exotic earthworms are having profound effects on forest ecosystems in North America, particularly in regions which lack native earthworms. Exotic earthworms rapidly consume leaf litter, thereby altering nutrient cycling and availability and other soil properties. This has cascading effects on microbial communities, invertebrates, vertebrates and seedling establishment, and may alter entire plant communities and threaten rare plant species.