05/05/2026
Eyes peeled 👀 and report if you find these critters in your garden 🪱
INNS Awareness Post:
While out earlier this week near Castle Douglas, Tracy our INNS Officer came across a New Zealand Flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus), an invasive non-native species that has spread to Scotland, primarily in gardens and residential areas. They predate on native earthworms by wrapping themselves around and secreting digestive mucus to dissolve them to then eat. All to the detriment of soil health.
New Zealand Flatworms are large flat worms which can grow up to 17cm in size. Their bodies are unsegmented and pointed at both ends and covered in a sticky mucous that glistens. They can be found under pieces of wood, stone, plant pots and will curl up on bare soil leaving a slimy circle. Eggs are in small black capsules and contain up to 7 young.
Spread is via movement of soil and plants. With, no method of chemical control or effective natural predators prevention is key, and care should be taken when moving soil and plants. They are under recorded hence reporting sightings are an essential part of management. If you come across this species please report it to https://irecord.org.uk/ and South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre
Thanks to Nic Coomby / SWSEIC for the use of the image (their website gives more information on these flatworms and local records of them)
