Dangerous flesh-eating flatworms are advancing across Europe, with recent sightings bringing them close to Poland.
The flesh-eating Caenoplana variegata, a land flatworm native to Australia and Brazil, could have a significant impact on native species and ecosystems, experts warn, as it lacks natural predators in the region.
The flatworm is believed to have been accidentally introduced to Europe alongside exotic plants.
First spotted in the United Kingdom two decades ago, the species has since spread to the Netherlands and most recently to western Germany, where the growing presence of the worm has raised alarm.
Experts attribute the flatworm’s expansion to favorable conditions provided by climate change, allowing it to thrive in new environments, and their slime acts as a deterrent to potential predators.
Unlike many species, flatworms can also regenerate when cut in half. Efforts to control the flatworm population are still in the early stages, with no proven methods for eradication yet.
Authorities suggest that monitoring their spread, limiting the import of exotic plants, and increasing public awareness are key steps in managing the problem.
Environmentalists are also calling for more rigorous inspections of imported plants and animals to prevent further contamination.
The flatworm is believed to have been accidentally introduced to Europe alongside exotic plants.
First spotted in the United Kingdom two decades ago, the species has since spread to the Netherlands and most recently to western Germany, where the growing presence of the worm has raised alarm.
Experts attribute the flatworm’s expansion to favorable conditions provided by climate change, allowing it to thrive in new environments, and their slime acts as a deterrent to potential predators.
Unlike many species, flatworms can also regenerate when cut in half. Efforts to control the flatworm population are still in the early stages, with no proven methods for eradication yet.
Authorities suggest that monitoring their spread, limiting the import of exotic plants, and increasing public awareness are key steps in managing the problem.
Environmentalists are also calling for more rigorous inspections of imported plants and animals to prevent further contamination.
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