Visser, Nick. “New Guinea Flatworm, One Of The World’s ‘Worst’ Invasive Species, Found In
Florida.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 23 June 2015. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/23/new-guinea-flatworm-invasive-species_n_7645346.html>.
This article talked about a recent invasive species that has invaded the state of Florida. This species is known as the New Guinea Flatworm and has been considered one of the 100 worst invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species most likely spread through international trade of plants, since the worm can only move a couple hundred yards a year. The flatworm is known for putting native worms in danger. Although the United States has very strict rules relating to the import of foreign goods, once products are in the mainland there are no strict regulations. This can allow the worm be transported very easily to other states as well as other parts of the American continent.
This article show the importance of regulations for the import and export of products. Most of the invasive species that are transported to their non-native environments is with the help of humans. Invasive species are known for being able to thrive in their new environments. This is why more initiative needs to be taken in order to stop the import of goods that could potentially cause harm to the country.
Jeez- one more thing to worry about, the New Guinea Flatworm! Incidentally, the earthworm we all know and love is also invasive… but I think not so damaging as it sounds like this one is. FYI- yesterday at SF Creek we disinfected the shovels with alcohol so we don’t spread an invasive fungus in the soil to the next site. Is there hope to stop these invasive species once they have made it to the mainland? I’m guessing some are easier than others… and CA is stricter than most states, but even our inspections are minimal. It can, as you know, have HUGE financial impacts though- ie- agriculture among other sectors of the economy.
Wow. It really shows how much more stricter regulations should be. It is concerning especially since it can harm all of us at some point. Have people started to find or think of ways that these invasive species could be removed? Or, is it a species we are now stuck with?
How harmful is this species to the environment? How would you propose they monitor it’s population or remove it?
Thank you for commenting! This species is known to be very hard to get rid off and so far it only poses threats the snail population of every environment.