Be On The Lookout For A New Invasive Species Of Worm In Louisiana This Year
By Jackie Ann|Updated on April 14, 2023(Originally published April 09, 2023)
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
It’s raining worms in Louisiana! Spring means the arrival of all kinds of creepy crawlies, and some, like the earthworm, are valuable native species in Louisiana that provide countless benefits to the environment. But there are some Louisiana invasive species that are quite harmful and cause damage to plants and animals that naturally occur here. The hammerhead worm is a relatively new invasive species that’s making its way across lawns and gardens throughout much of the United States, and they’ve been found in Louisiana. These slimy squiggles of doom are a potential threat to our good friend, the earthworm, and you’re going to want to know what to do if you come across one this spring in Louisiana. Fair warning: it’s not as easy as simply squishing them under your foot. In fact, you should never try to kill them like that. Keep reading to find out why:
Meet the hammerhead worm, more officially known as a Bipalium. It just so happens that this Louisiana invasive species is your home garden's worst enemy.
This little creature goes by many names. You may have heard it referred to as the hammerhead flatworm, shoveled worm, or arrowhead worm. Whatever you call it, just be careful around it. These things can grow to be over a foot long and come with a myriad of problems that can affect the health of your garden and cause you skin irritation.
These little critters are native to Southeast Asia. They're an invasive species in the United States that have been spotted all across the country thanks to hitching rides on plants shipped from overseas. However, they have a particular affinity for hot, humid locations...
Currently, there are four invasive species in the United States: Bipalium adventitium, Bipalium kewense, Bipalium pennsylvanicum, and Bipalium vagum. All can be harmful to native species in Louisiana.
Bipalium vagum is the one that you’re most likely to find in the Bayou State. These worms have two dark blotches on the head and a thick black band around the neck, with three dark dorsal stripes.
Hammerhead worms have also been discovered thriving in numerous other states, including California, Arkansas, and Texas. They're most common in the southern states thanks to our hospitable weather.
These demon-noodles love subtropical climates, especially greenhouses. Just like slugs, they’re most active at night. You can also find them just after a rain, when the soil is at its most moist. They prefer to hang out underneath leaves and in dark areas, making them hard to find... not that most of us want to actively seek them out!
These worms are carnivores, and their favorite meal is the earthworm, a harmless native species that is greatly beneficial to the soil.
They’ll also eat slugs, insects, and snails. They cover their prey in toxic slime before devouring them whole, just like a scene out of Stranger Things. So far, these invasive hammerhead worms have not grown large enough to greatly impact the earthworm population… yet. Earthworms are super-important in the underground scene. Not only are they one of the major players when it comes to the decomposition of organic matter, but they also increase soil aeration, water movement, and plant growth. They play a major role in the health of our native plants.
If you happen to encounter a hammerhead worm in Louisiana, do not touch it with your bare skin.
These worms can secrete a toxin that greatly irritates your skin. No serious reactions have been reported in humans or pets, but it's still recommended to grab a pair of gloves before touching one. If you find a hammerhead worm, you should kill it. But don't just take your garden shovel and hack it into pieces!
Why?
If you cut a hammerhead worm into pieces, the pieces can actually regrow a new head, organs, and whatever else it needs to terrify you... so, if you cut a hammerhead worm into three distinct pieces, you'll end up with three new hammerhead worms.
Toxic and practically immortal? Lovely.
To effectively un-alive this demon noodle, you’ll need to sprinkle some salt or vinegar on it or put it in a sealed container in your freezer.
We are all going to be channeling our inner Morton Salt girl if we find one, right?
If you weren’t grossed out enough by the text, check out this video of one in action:
Have you ever spotted this Louisiana invasive species in your yard? Let us know in the comments, and keep your eyes peeled!
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What are some of the worm native species in Louisiana?
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As international travel becomes more common, Louisiana invasive species do as well. Here are a few of the best-known plants and animals that don't belong here:
