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New Brunswick

What kind of black worm-like creature about 1 inch long would attack and eat a large earthworm? Twice this has occured here....and this time my husband came to get me. I kicked at the attacking "worm" and it took off "hell bent for election"..I stomped but do not know if I got it or not as it went into the grass. My husband said the one he saw was very hard to kill as well. I have never seen such a thing before. Does anyone know what it could be? We live in New Brunswick, Canada

6/26/2003 11:07:23 AM

Liverpool , England

Yo Storm,
There is a New Zealand worm that feeds on earthworms...a few have been found here in England, they seem to come in on plants from that country. Be worried as they can wipe out whole fields of earthworms.

Alun

6/26/2003 7:15:39 PM

New Brunswick

Alun...what the heck are they?

6/26/2003 11:29:50 PM

[email protected]

Are they the New Zealand Flatworm? Artioposthia triangulata?

Nasty buggers. Wouldn't want them here that's for sure!

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/flatworm.htm

Steve

6/26/2003 11:49:45 PM

New Brunswick

Thanks for the site Tremor. Nope not flat worms...thank goodness!!! I am on the lookout for one. Must call the dept of agriculture when I get time.

6/27/2003 7:53:47 AM

Liverpool , England

Thanks Steve...but you have to find out what they are Storm and let me know.

Alun

6/27/2003 8:10:28 PM

New Brunswick

I sure am going to try. Right now, I am actually looking for one to trap so I can get a real good look at it. I kicked around pieces of sticks today looking under them but no luck. My hubby has seen two of them....both attacking worms at the time.

6/27/2003 10:28:21 PM

Kuna, Id.

As a kid I had seen the same bug doing the same thing to worms.I was one day teasing a lion ant this is what we call the bugs at the bottom of the cone shaped holes in the ground were a bug falls in and can't get out. At the bottom of the cone is a black bug that grabs what ever commes into the cone and drags it under ground to eat. It looked the same as the one I saw eating the worm.They like to build there traps in soft dry dirt, but during rain or watering they can not build there traps and have to eat. I don't know the real name of bug, but this may help.
Ken

6/28/2003 11:23:18 AM