Published by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden BUG BEAT
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
published by fairchild tropical botanic garden BUG BEAT A small worm creates a huge problem Text and photos by Kenneth Setzer he introduction of destructive, non-native invasions. non-native species is The flatworm, among others, has nothing new—pigs, been implicated in the diminution T rats and other animals of several species of rare Hawaiian and plants were carried by ships tree snails in the genus Achatinella to remote islands centuries ago. (Oahu tree snails). But as transoceanic shipping and travel have become easier, the The New Guinea flatworm is a opportunities for invasion have voracious predator and consumer increased exponentially. Now a of snails and slugs, and it does not small flatworm from New Guinea discriminate between rare natives is having a massive impact on and common invasives. A denizen our native gastropods—snails and of dark, damp places, the flatworm slugs—especially the stunningly found a very suitable home in pretty Florida tree snails. South Florida. It slithers on a coat of mucus, swinging its head back Platydemus manokwari, the New and forth using chemoreceptors to Guinea flatworm, was first collected alert itself to the presence of a snail in August 2012. By 2014, it was trail, which often leads to Liguus known to inhabit multiple locations or Orthalicus tree snails; it then in Miami-Dade County, and by ensnares the snail in a sticky film December of that year, it was found of mucous before using its pharynx in Puerto Rico. Yet, only in 2015 feeding tube to digest and consume was a report filed for the first time, the snail’s soft body. noting its presence in South Florida. Florida tree snails like Liguus Described initially in Manokwari, fasciatus are sometimes called living (T-B) in West Papua, the flatworm has gems, and for good reason. Their 1DA#HKNE@=1NAAOJ=EH Liguus fasciatus. since been found in Singapore and spiraling, conical shells are glossy, @A=@LiguusPNAAOJ=EH =OPAHHKS%=IIK?G %KIAOPA=@ #HKNE@= all the way north to Japan. It’s a big often spotted, mottled, striped in problem in Hawaii, an archipelago satisfying shades of ivory, orange, whose species have suffered many sunburst yellow, brown and pink on THE TROPICAL GARDEN D=NIHAOON=DIEJU>HEJ@OJ=GA ĠIndotyphlops braminus Quick Guide to Identification The New Guinea flatworm, up to 4 inches long, but usually shorter, is a glossy dark brown with a tan mid-dorsal stripe (on its back) and a paler underside. It tapers at both ends, but on very close examination, its head is slightly pointier, with a cream background. There are over 50 against it. Experts need to learn more two small, dark eyespots no subspecies in Florida alone, with even about its biology and invasiveness to larger than pinpoints. The more in Cuba. They, like the banded find a vulnerability. One possibility, worm may appear darker in tree snail Orthalicus, are especially discussed at a Tree Snail and Flatworm daylight, with the stripe more vulnerable when they descend to the Working Group Meeting I attended ground to mate and lay eggs. at the Miami-Dade County Extension pronounced at night. It is a Office in Homestead last August, is hot nocturnal animal, active and At Castellow Hammock Preserve & water: water that is at least 110 degrees hunting particularly after rain, Nature Center in Homestead, the tree Fahrenheit kills the flatworm. They though you may spot it in the snail situation seems dire. Since it’s one travel the world in soil, so soaking of my favorite places, I go there often to potted plants, or better yet, bare root day hiding under decaying photograph tree snails. Now the ground plants, in the hot water would kill the plant matter. is littered with empty shells, and New flatworm without harming the plants. Guinea flatworms are abundant. Dr. A harmless lookalike is the Alície Warren of Miami-Dade County Many questions remain, however, such Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces as how long the soaking needs to be and Brahminy blind snake. It’s no and Dr. Tim Collins, professor in the how it should vary given volume of soil, thicker than a pencil lead, very department of biological sciences at etc. This labor-intensive control doesn’t dark brown to solid black, flicks Florida International University, have seem likely to happen on a large scale. its tongue like a snake and, noted that, “Though native snails face But cleaning construction equipment— multiple threats, around August 2015, even shoes—exposed to soil would upon close inspection, has we noticed tree snails, Liguus and certainly help. For now, it looks like just scales. Another flatworm, the Orthalicus, disappearing from Castellow.” the beginning of a long battle, with ex- hammerhead planarian, shows situ breeding and conservation of the reverse coloration: It’s tan with At this point, I wish I could talk snails a possibility. about definitive flatworm control, a dark stripe. Its hammer- but no pesticides are registered for use shaped head makes it easy ABOVE 1DA+AS$QEJA=Ń=PSKNI to differentiate from the New Platydemus manokwari. GGuineauinea flaflatworm.tworm. RIGHT %=IIANDA=@LH=J=NE=JĠBipalium vagum For now, if you find a flatworm, don’t =JKJJ=PERAŃ=PSKNI >QPJKPPDA+AS handle it. Report it via the “ivegot1” app, on $QEJA=Ń=PSKNI+KPAEPO@EBBANAJP eddmaps.org or by calling 1.888.ivegot1. ?KHKN=PEKJ=J@D=IIANOD=LA@DA=@ THE TROPICAL GARDEN .