New Zeland Flatworm found at Minnowburn

The New Zealand Flatworm has been discovered at the allotments in recent months. Should we be scared.

This animal is regarded as a major predator of our native earthworms and has the ability to devastate populations. However, its impact in agricultural land is unclear as earthworm populations in open fields seem to recover quickly from flatworm predation. There is no doubt that in confined or shaded places such as gardens and small woods, its effect upon earthworm numbers is greater and more permanent. It may also affect soil drainage.

It has spread rapidly in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is thought to have spread through plant trade and the first introduction was thought to have been in the 1950s through the trade in daffodil bulbs from New Zealand to Northern Ireland.

Control 

It is thought hot water is a cheap and easy means of disinfection of containerised plants. But research on this method has still to be determined.

 

Further Information and Photographs can be found at the following links:
Invasive New Zeland Flatworm.
CABI New Zealand Flatworm fact sheet


Fidelma Maher