Bug Identifier
Land Planarian (Hammerhead Worm)
Community identification

Land Planarian (Hammerhead Worm)

Bipalium species

Order & Family
Order: Tricladida; Family: Geoplanidae
Size
Typically 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) depending on the species.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp, humid environments such as under leaf litter, logs, or soil in gardens and greenhouses.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they primarily eat earthworms, slugs, and snails by liquefying them with enzymes.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and moisture-dependent; they move via a sliding motion on a mucus trail and can reproduce through fragmentation.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks: They are invasive in many regions and can contain tetrodotoxin (a potent neurotoxin); they disrupt soil ecosystems by preying on beneficial earthworms.