Australian flatworm
Australoplana sanguinea
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Photo credit: ©The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
Australian flatworm - Australoplana sanguinea
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Potential or known impacts:
How did it/could it get here?:
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for prevention:
Australian flatworm - Australoplana sanguinea
Description
- It is up to 8cm long and 5mm wide, with an orange flattened body. Many tiny black eyes are along the anterior and lateral ends.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- It is native to eastern Australia.
- Outside its native range, it is found in Great Britain, with the biggest population in the south west of the country.
Potential or known impacts:
- Voracious earthworm predator, which affects native earthworm populations.
- May reproduce by splitting in two and regenerating into a complete worm. Sexual reproduction may occur, however only 3 egg cocoons were seen in a 10 year period.
How did it/could it get here?:
- It probably was introduced with imported plant soil or plant containers.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is present in low numbers in Northern Ireland.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for prevention:
- Check soil from around new plants - don't plant or introduce to a non-infested area
- Don't give or receive plants from areas where Australian flatworms are present, as this can help their spread
- If seen, take a picture and submit the sighting
- Destroy yourself or seek help to do so
NIEA-ID-Guide-Australoplana-sanguinea-Australian-Flatworm