New invasive species hits South Florida
New Guinea flatworm spotted in Miami
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
Yet another invasive species may be inching its way into iguana-weary Monroe County.
The New Guinea flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a small, predatory flatworm with a dark brown top, a light gray underside, and two eyes. As its name suggests, it is native to New Guinea, but has become a familiar sight throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Recent reports suggest the slimy creature is becoming established in northwestern France, where its presence has removed escargot from local menus.
Closer to home, Hawaii, Puerto Rico – and now Miami – have reported infestations of the creature.
A recent study carried out by Jean-Lou Justine of the Institute of Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity in Paris spelled out the danger posed by the flatworm, which has no natural predators, possibly due to its strong taste.
“This should be considered a significant threat to the whole of the U.S. and even to the rest of the Americas,” Justine wrote in the report. “The record in Florida is of particular concern because it is in mainland America. Until now infested territories were mostly islands and the spread of the species from island to island is limited.” The worm can “easily be passively spread with infested plants, plant parts and soil,” he added.
On June 25, the Monroe County Extension Service added an article about the worm to its Facebook page, as a warning to locals about transporting soil into the county.
“It’s a new one in town,” said the service’s Environmental Horticulture Agent Kim Gabel. “Just another one that’s come across our radar. People should remember to be careful that they’re not bringing any hitchhikers in; no snails or worms, along with plants, from the mainland.”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has also examined the creature’s potential impact on the state’s enormous agricultural industry, though the news there is somewhat brighter.
“The New Guinea flatworm is considered a predator, rather than a plant pest, and as such is not identified as a threat to agriculture,” department spokeswoman Jenn Meade said.
The potential exists, however, for the flatworm to upset the ecosystem by feeding on snails and earthworms necessary for plant life. So voracious is the predator that it has been known to chase snails up trees, though it is generally a land-based creature.
At press time, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County had no immediate comment on the potential impact on human health, but is looking into the matter.
There is also no word yet on whether the iguanas will eat the flatworms.

 

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