In the north east and came across my first Hammerhead Worm of the season. Just an awareness post for folks to keep your eyes open for this invasive pest.
From Asia and Europe, these planaria are carnivorous and consumes earthworms. It has the potential to negatively impact agriculture and horticulture industries.
What's important to note is how to dispose of one when you come across it. Cutting in half will not kill most species. Isopropyl alcohol is the best way to kill it. After this picture was taken I poured some into the dish.
I believe that the species I have is Bipalium pennsylvanicum.
Don't handle with bare hands as some can be sensitive to the digestive enzymes they produce to consume prey.
Extension info: https://extension.psu.edu/hammerhead-flatworms-and-other-land-planaria-of-eastern-north-america
USDA link for more info: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/hammerhead-worm
Happy gardening!
by spidersinmysoup
9 Comments
Thanks, I hate it!
Should be noted there’s also several other flatworms that have invaded other countries as well [Like this one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_flatworm)
Legit, gotta kill it with fire moment. Leave our eathworms alone!
Also **report to your area Fish and Wildlife**. They are tracking them and there is often a short online form you can use.
Aren’t earthworms also non native the the US?
Nooo. I saw one of those in my yard once and was grossed out. I let it live. Will be more aware from now on.
The Science Channel program Strange Evidence had an episode that talked about hammer head worms. Scared me……
If you like science, great program.
Here we go again. People learn about one invasive species and they don’t attempt to understand the broader picture. Hammerhead worms are invasive, yes. But they also are one of the most successful predators of jumping worms. Jumping worms are earthworms. Jumping worms are invasive. Jumping worms are one of the biggest threats to Eastern forests, after human development. You’ve heard of spotted lanternfly? Jumping worms are orders of magnitude worse for our ecosystems. You want to hate on hammerheads? Fine. Just understand the slightly broader picture before you waste your time hunting them. By the way, you’ve probably never seen a native earthworm. Most of the earthworms we have are invasive, from Europe or Asia.
Nice, a hammerhead worm PSA that doesn’t massively overhype how dangerous they are to touch or how hard they are to destroy! Usually when people bring these up it’s with the same tone people used to use for Asian giant hornets.