Southern Marsh Orchids

Southern Marsh Orchids

Tuesday 26 May 2015

failed assault on woodlouse

An odd sighting at the weekend. I was checking the moth trap at the weekend and noticed an odd-looking woodlouse on the wall - it appeared to have something attached to it! The 'something' was black and shiny, paler underneath and a line along the upper side with no noticeable mouthparts or eyes. The woodlouse plodded along regardless. I managed to get the camera and grab a couple of shots, using a torch and flash, before the thing gave up and I lost it as it moved away from the woodlouse.

Grateful for any information as to what it was and what it was doing.




6 comments:

  1. Looks like a Nematode, but wouldn't like to say beyond that!

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  2. I don't think it's a nematode, possibly a flatworm (Platyhelminth)?

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  3. I have no expertise in this area but to me looks like some sort of leech?

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  4. I have no expertise in this area but to me looks like some sort of leech?

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  5. Thanks for all the comments.

    On first sight I thought it might be a leech, but from my brief sighting I couldn't see any sucker attachments. If I see it again I'll get it into a pot for a closer look but until then I suppose it's another for the 'anon' box.

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  6. I suspect it's a planarian (flatworm).

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