THE INVASIVE HAMMERHEAD WORM "INVADES" MAINE, OR HAS IT?

 THE INVASIVE HAMMERHEAD WORM "INVADES" MAINE, OR HAS IT?

Copyright 2022 by Lori-Ann Willey
https://www.facebook.com/WilleysDamCamp/

One of the latest Facebook hypes for Mainer’s is a concern about the “Hammerhead” worm that is supposedly invading Maine, and about how it will kill all the earthworms, trees, lawns, and gardens.  That’s not to mention how “toxic” they are to humans. 

Though I had been sent seemingly dozens of the same photo and write-up for a few weeks now, I’ve kindah-sortah ignored them.  Never read more than a line or two before I shook my head and closed the article.  Something didn’t seem to add up.  I had learned about these snake-like, leech-like worms many years ago and I probably only remember them due to their shape. However, I remembered something else, too.  They are tropical/subtropical creatures, so I was not concerned about them “invading Maine” as all the hype seems to focus.  Some people are even in a panic over it all.

This morning, I decided to read a few articles (not on social media).  Firstly, I wondered if I was actually on a social media platform after all, because I wasn’t very impressed with the writers of the articles.  It seems they all stemmed from a single writing piece -the article that apparently started the whole frenzy.  Of course, they didn’t seem to take the time to actually research or expand knowledge.  It seems all they did was read, re-write, and published instead of researching further, gain validity (facts) so they can further educate people.  They chose to terrorize them instead.  I’m not impressed.  Of course, social media makes all that even worse, because so many want to get the “likes”, “comments”, and “Shares” that may give them a little bit of attention.   However, there are some good, honest people out there that want to help people learn of this horribly invasive worm.  I get it. 

So, this morning, first and foremost I went searching for facts, but first, I needed to know the specific species of “hammerhead” that are doing the invading.  To catch you all up, the hammerhead is a kind of flatworm that has a hammerhead-like shape.  There are about 20,000 species of flatworms worldwide, but only 4 species of hammerheads (that I know of) are in the USA.    So, this helps me narrow down the species.  However, the only species actually named online (article) is in Texas (Bipalium kewense).  But that’s in Texas, not Maine.  I come across articles about hammerheads in Georgia, but no specific name there.  Paul woke and I asked him if he knew the species “invading” Maine and the closest he could come is a Bipalium pennsylvanicum or Bipalium adventitium. Later, I found out about Bipalium vagum. So, which one is in Maine?

While searching the Internet, I came across the Maine Biota Project, read through it, and decided to contact them.  For those not in the know, the Maine Biota Project “… is an interactive online resource curated by the nonprofit Maine Natural History Observatory. The goal of the Maine Biota Project is to catalog all living species in Maine and to maintain comprehensive, up-to-date, online lists of species.”  Needless to say, I was quick to send off a message asking for the exact flatworm species “invading Maine”.  

To my surprise, the man replied a short while later. This is his reply:

Hi Lori-Ann, Great question. I did some research this morning and also couldn't confirm which species has been found in Maine. It is possible it is Bipalium kewense although I could not confirm that with my research this morning. It is possible that there is some taxonomic confusion about the ID of the species found in Maine. Sorry that I could not be more helpful with your research into this. Best Wishes... Glen

So, it seems that Glen, who represents the Maine Biota Project, read the same sources I have and came to the same possible conclusion.  So, if THEY don’t know, then what is the validity of all these news articles about this highly invasive worm?  I’d say there is little to none.  

I’m not saying that one of these hammerhead species was not found in Maine, because honestly, anyone can buy just about anything and everything worldwide now, so it is possible one was shipped here in a plant container or maybe with a hidden worm egg sack. However, if all these social media postings going around are true, then seems like the Maine Biota Project would know as soon as it was discovered?  To me, that is logical.

I’m not saying the hammerheads are not here “per se”, but I’m more inclined to think it is more likely an isolated incident or no incident at all.  I mean, if one killed and got rid of it when seen, then there is no proof, just a story, right?  In a day when so many people want to be a social media sensation, I don’t trust much of anything I see, read, or hear these days.  The “news” (media) likes to sensationalize, add drama, fear, etc.  How about the facts once in a while?  They are out for dramatics vs facts, so instead of trusting them, I went to a dependable source, the Maine Biota Project.  To me, if anyone is to know about these creatures, I think it would be them …and wouldn’t they be the first to know they exist AND the exact species? 

So, until I see this “hammerhead” flatworm (of any specie) listed on their official site for the State of Maine, I’m not going to get all hyped up on the hype of it all.  Facts first, drama later.

 https://mainenaturalhistory.org/Biodiversity_Project/MaineNaturalHistoryProjecthome.htm