Yeah, this is one I didn't think would come back to haunt us. They taught us a little about screw worms in vet school but since it was eradicated they didn't spend much time on the subject. My undergraduate entomology coarse talked about it more.
I remember as a kid in the 70s finding one of the little card board containers that they used to release the sterile males to breed with the females. I think they dropped them from planes.
We just found out we have Invasive hammerhead worms. What the He$$
Invasive hammerhead worms (members of the Bipalium genus) are increasingly spotted in Indiana, particularly in warm, moist, and densely landscaped areas.
They are easily recognized by their. spade or shovel-shaped heads and flattened bodies. Because they prey on beneficial earthworms, they pose a localized threat to soil health.
• Toxicity : They produce a mild neurotoxin (tetrodotoxin) used to immobilize prey. While it is generally not life-threatening to humans or large pets, it can cause severe skin irritation, and is dangerous to pets if ingested.
• No Chopping : These worms can regenerate from incredibly small fragments. Never cut or crush a hammerhead worm, as doing so creates multiple new worms.
I recently read about these! The only way to dispose of them is is to place it in a sealed plastic bag or container and completely submerge it in salt, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol. Then, freeze the sealed bag overnight before throwing it away.
(members of the Bipalium genus) are increasingly spotted in Indiana, particularly in warm, moist, and densely landscaped areas.
spade or shovel-shaped heads and flattened bodies. Because they prey on beneficial earthworms, they pose a localized threat to soil health.
: They produce a mild neurotoxin (tetrodotoxin) used to immobilize prey. While it is generally not life-threatening to humans or large pets, it can cause severe skin irritation, and is dangerous to pets if ingested.
: These worms can regenerate from incredibly small fragments. Never cut or crush a hammerhead worm, as doing so creates multiple new worms.
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