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Hammerhead worm

Bipalium adventitium

Photo by mauna Kunzah
Published on Project Noah
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40.6003, -74.1194

Field Notes

Description:

A voracious predator of earthworms, this species is distinguished by the single maroon line running down its yellow body. It crawled slowly and left a track of shiny, mucoid secretions on the plank.

Habitat:

I found it underneath a decomposing wood plank that housed a termite and carpenter ant colony.

Notes:

Bipalium is an invasive species in the US. Although found on land, this hammerhead worm produces tetrodotoxin to paralyze its prey, the same compound in pufferfish and a few other fish.

Reference Links:

Bipalium adventitium - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
Tukup
I did and I just posted it. It's a different species, but the second reference shows the head and stripes that identify both mine and yours. Thanks for the help Mauna..
mauna Kunzah
Thanks for sharing that, Tukup! Did you happen to get a picture of it?
Tukup
I had no idea what a "Hammerhead Worm" was til this spotting. Then shortly after seeing it, I found one at my daughter's place. I'd never have noticed it without this spotting. Thanks.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
Nature in Yellow
Mission
Flatworms
Mission
nature of new york
Mission
Wildlife of Northeastern USA

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMay 19, 2019

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