Invasion of agricultural land by the earthworm predator, Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Dendy)
Authors: Murchie A.K.1; Moore J.P.1; Walters K.F.2; Blackshaw R.P.3
Source: Pedobiologia, Volume 47, Numbers 5-6, January 2004 , pp. 920-923(4)
Publisher: Urban & Fischer
Abstract:
The New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus is an invasive earthworm predator that is widespread in Northern Ireland. Although this species is most commonly reported from domestic gardens, it is spreading into agricultural grassland. In systematic surveys of grassland fields in Northern Ireland, flatworms were found in 4% (n = 75) in 1991 but 70% (n = 60) in 1998/99. Most flatworms were found under debris at the field margins but in 22% of fields (1998/99) flatworms were recovered from open pasture during formalin expulsion.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1078/0031-4056-00281
Affiliations: 1: Applied Plant Science Division, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland) 2: Central Science Laboratory, DEFRA, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK 3: Seale-Hayne Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, University of Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Plymouth TQ12 6NQ, UK

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