New Guinea Flatworm

Natural Habitat

Found in soil, leaf litter, and under rocks/logs in tropical and subtropical regions; often invasive in gardens and greenhouses.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous predator primarily feeding on land snails, earthworms, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates.

Behavior Patterns

Active mainly at night or in damp conditions to avoid drying out; they move by gliding on a film of mucus and can follow the slime trails of snail prey.

Risks & Benefits

Extremely invasive; poses a high risk to biodiversity by decimating native snail populations. Can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which is a risk to humans if the worm or its mucus is accidentally ingested.

Identified on: 3/24/2026