Kontikia ventrolineata - An Australian Flatworm

Roscadghill Parc Wildlife

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- under brick 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- under brick 2

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- under brick 3

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- in wet leaf litter 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- in wet leaf litter 2

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- in wet leaf litter 3

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- in wet leaf litter 4

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- on leaf 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- on leaf 2

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- on leaf 3

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- on wood 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- underside and eyes 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- mating 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- flatworm with cocoon 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- cocoons 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- cocoons 2

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- cocoons 3

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- flatworm with cocoons 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- feeeding on earthworm 1

Flatworm
Kontikia ventrolineata
- feeeding on earthworm 2

Species has been found in leaf litter, under stones and decaying timber. 26.02.13 and 06.03.13. Images of cocoon laying were taken on 01.05.13. SW4594030947.

Species was identified by Dr. Hugh Jones of the Natural History Museum, London.

He says - The species is an alien species and comes from Australia. It is fairly widespread in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, with other scattered records elsewhere.

It seems to be a scavenger, and has been seen feeding feeding on a variety of soil invertebrates such as snails, woodlice and caterpillars. A good way to search for them is to squash a variety of potential prey items under a stone (or some such) and look again a day or so later.

There is another species of alien flatworm be found locally; Kontikia andersoni was found under a rock in Penlee Gardens, Penzance, with Kontikia ventrolineata on 18.03.13.

All photographs on this page were taken at Roscadghill Parc and are © David Fenwick.

Roscadghill Parc is a small housing estate situated in Heamoor, Penzance, Cornwall.

Kontikia ventrolineata Australian Geoplanid Flatworm Turbellaria Images from Roscadghill Parc