Obama nungara

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Photo credit: Hugh Jones, Scientific Associate, Natural History Museum, London.

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Obama nungara

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Habitat:

• Around freshwater rivers, lakes and wetlands
• Areas of soft, sandy or muddy substrate
• Also found in human disturbed areas, such as parks and gardens

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Description:

• 10cm in length 1cm in width
• Broad leaf-shaped body
• Dark brown with black dorsal streaks
• Colour ranges from very dark-mid brown with occasional pale midline
• Ventral side is pale
• Has many black eyes around the head and sides but are difficult to spot
• Lays 5mm cocoons which are black and take a few weeks to hatch

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Origin and Distribution:

• Native to South Brazil and Argentina
• Scattered distribution in the UK
• Also found in Guernsey, Jersey, Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Maderia and the Azores
• Distribution is mainly linked to climate

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Impacts:

• Feeds on native earthworms, snails and other flatworms changing the biodiversity
• Hard to get rid of so can easily spread

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Is it found in Northern Ireland?

• One report in Northern Ireland but they are found in Ireland

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How could it get here?

• Transported with goods in ships and vehicles
• Main route of invasion is through the plant trade

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You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.

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Prevent Spread

• Report all sightings
• Do not bring this species into Northern Ireland
• Inspect incoming consignments of plants
• Don't accept plants from areas where the Obama flatworm is present, as this can aid their spread
• Maintain good garden hygiene
• Inspect your site for flatworms
• Destroy immediately if you detect them (see flatworm control)

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Current Legislation Position (Listed on 07 August 2025):                                                                                                 This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.

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For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk