Invasive Planarians Threaten Soil Fertility in Europe

Carnivorous planarians from Australia and Brazil pose a significant threat to soil fertility in Germany. These invasive worms, which feed voraciously on earthworms, have been identified in North Rhine-Westphalia, with their first sighting in 2023. They are spreading rapidly through the plant trade and are also found in neighboring countries like France and the Netherlands, where citizen science initiatives have aided in data collection.

Experts from the Zoological State Collection Munich emphasize the urgency of the situation, encouraging the public to report any sightings. With few natural predators, the proliferation of these planarians raises serious concerns for agricultural ecosystems and biodiversity.