[ember]

Grower beware
I recently found a huddle of unpleasant, unhealthy looking things, so I squished them with no further ado. I've only just got around to researching them, after a fellow plotholder told me they ate earthworms. Turns out to be Australian flatworm, a very nasty species indeed that does indeed kill off our indigenous earthworm.

For pictures and info see
http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/adlib/defra/content_bl.aspx?id=000IL3890W.17UT229AUAU2PB

I notified my flatworms and was told that DEFRA were no longer monitoring either the Australian or the New Zealand flatworm as they have accepted that they are beyond control. So we have a creepy crawly version on Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam.

Always happy to be the bearer of good news 
M

[arugula]

I found a New Zealand flatworm quite recently for the first time in our garden. When I did a bit of research I found out that the infestation started in Northern Ireland and spread to Scotland and is still at its highest levels in Northern Ireland and the West of Scotland.

[ember]

There's quite an interesting commentry by Medwy Williams on the NZ worm at this link. It's quite old now but, imo, still relevant.
http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/medwyn-williams-vegetable-grow-show-2.html

As to the notifying part, my gut feeling is that DEFRA should still be told, so that they are aware of how severe the infestations are and where they are the greatest.

M

[arugula]

But if you were told that DEFRA is no longer monitoring....

Yes, it sounds like another case of

Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam.

.... zebra mussels, grey squirrels, signal crayfish.....

[ember]

As to the notifying part, my gut feeling is that DEFRA should still be told, so that they are aware of how severe the infestations are and where they are the greatest.

But if you were told that DEFRA is no longer monitoring....

I know... I just feel it's not right somhow, just really wrong, probably 'not enopugh resources'  . Rant over