Bug Identifier
Flatworm
Community identification

Flatworm

Phylum Platyhelminthes (likely Geoplanidae family)

Order & Family
Order Tricladid / Family Geoplanidae
Size
3mm to over 20cm depending on species
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark environments such as leaf litter, under logs, or damp garden soil

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; many hunt earthworms, snails, slugs, and other small invertebrates using mucus and digestive enzymes

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal; they move using cilia on a mucus trail and are known for their incredible regenerative abilities and asexual reproduction

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans but some invasive species are major pests to local ecosystems by decimating earthworm populations which are vital for soil health