I forgot to add that it is a worm like creature of maybe 1/16 or 1/8 of an inch in girth, and the nasty little bugger moves fast if touched.

You will need to take a MUCH improved image if you want us to ID your little freeloader. I can't see a thing in this picture.

But let's get rid of the most obvious. It's not a young slug, is it? Right off the bat, that's the only thing I can think of that leaves a slime trail and eats foliage.

It's very difficult to determine what's the critter and what's debris.

Can you try again with a picture?

None of the larva of any insect will reproduce, but you may be seeing more eggs hatching. As a rule for these larva to hatch they usually need a fairly moist, and warm, environment that may be too moist for the plant. Let the soil dry out more and these wee buggers may well up and die on you.