Worms eat invading Europe

The proliferation of an alien worm of Argentine origin threatens the native wildlife of Europe.

The filthy flatworm , scientifically named Obama calcination , accidentally imported into Europe through bonsai sales, is now available in 72 out of 96 metropolitan areas of France, as well as many other countries in the region such as Spain. Houses, Portugal, Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Obama bakedara ate snails and earthworms.(Photo: Pierre Gros).

The creature is about 7.5 cm long, yellow brown and has hundreds of small eyes lying along the body. They specialize in eating snails, earthworms and some other invertebrates by swallowing prey.

British biologists have warned that the harmful alien could "wipe out" 20% of the indigenous earthworms. That would be a great loss for agriculture because the worms increase the porosity, fertility of the soil and are used as feed for cattle and poultry. Besides, they also help reduce the risk of flooding because of digging soil, supporting drainage.

"Obama calcareous is the biggest threat of all invasive flatworms available on the old continent ," said Professor Jean-Lou Justine, a zoologist at the Natural History Museum in Paris. "Their wide distribution and predatory characteristics can threaten soil ecology and biodiversity in Europe."

1. Mysterious worms "live wrinkled" despite being killed hundreds of times
2. Has enabled the ability to regenerate the first in flatworms