Here’s what you need to know about the new flatworms invading Maine

An invasive flatworm referred to as the hammerhead worm has been noticed in Maine, and it’s each poisonous and arduous to kill, the Bangor Day by day Information reported.

The worm was first noticed final fall in southern and central Maine, the newspaper reported, and could possibly be a headache for farmers as a result of it’s predatory in the direction of earthworms that are important for wholesome soil.

The worm is known as the hammerhead worm on account of its hammerhead shark- or shovel-shaped head. In accordance with the Texas Invasive Species Institute (TISI), the worm is often gentle or honey-colored, with one to 5 skinny darkish stripes.

The TISI mentioned the physique is snake-like, and might be as much as 15 inches lengthy, however is often eight to 12 inches and really slim.

The worm is native to southeast Asia and Vietnam, the TISI mentioned. It prefers scorching, humid environments, the institute mentioned, so it sometimes lives in tropical and subtropical areas, however may thrive in greenhouses, which the worm can get into via transported mulch and soil.

To date, within the U.S., it has shaped colonies largely within the South, however has been present in greenhouses as far north as New York and Massachusetts, the TISI mentioned.

The worm is troublesome to kill as a result of it reproduces asexually via a course of referred to as “fragmentation.” The TISI mentioned this occurs when a small rear portion of the worm pinches off and is left behind because the worm strikes ahead. Inside about 10 days, it mentioned, the pinnacle begins to kind, and this could occur a number of occasions a month. 

The most important ecological menace the worm poses, the TISI mentioned, is that it feeds on earthworms, that are important for the well being of forests, crops, gardens, and composts.

The worm additionally secretes poisonous chemical substances via its pores and skin to make itself noxious to predators, the TISI mentioned. These chemical substances may cause pores and skin irritation in people in the event that they maintain the worm. Moreover, many hammerhead worms carry parasitic nematodes inside them.

Thus, the TISI mentioned, protected and efficient disposal of the worms is essential.

The institute mentioned the worms might be killed utilizing citrus oil and salt, citrus oil and vinegar, or vinegar alone. These substances must be utilized on to the worm, it mentioned.

Inserting the worm in a sealable plastic bag with these substances is a simple approach to verify the worm doesn’t crawl away or cut up, the TISI mentioned. It mentioned to get rid of the bag with the worm inside it, and to watch out to ensure you seize the entire worm.