Moth Question (Also looking for group FAQ)

[Chris J. Durden]

Anne,
  We have *Bipalium kewense* here. They are quite common. They may have
originated in NE Mexico to Central Texas before worldwide spread by
horticulture. Our earthworm population is also quite healthy (even though
exotic in origin). We also have the snail-eating-snail and the small edible
snail (both exotic). Our best garbageperson is the grey international
woodlouse/rollup/curley-bob/sowbug. As long as we include humans in it the
balance has a significant exotic component. After all in Texas we have at
least two ranches that raise rhinos (they love hisatche), and the failed
emu, rhea and ostrich ranches are just letting their stock go and emus are
showing up in our state parks as a nuisance feeder. Pheasants are all over
the northern part of the state. Bass infest our lakes. People who know
better even officially stock trout that never reproduces in our streams.
The world as we know it is rapidly careening towards chaos in a handbasket.
Enjoy what you can while it is still here.
.......Chris

At 08:01  26/03/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Paul
>where are you? Is this the dreaded planarian that eats earthworms? Not,
>I hope, in the US of A. I knew it was in the British Isles ...
>Anne kilmer
>South Florida
>
>"Paul D. Marsh" wrote:
>> 
>> You nailed it, Stuart.  With your info I was able to track it down to
>> the species level -- Bipalium kewense.  The descriptions fit our
>> observation that these worms were only ever seen after a good rain.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Paul
>> 
>> Stuart Roberts wrote:
>> >
>> > Paul D. Marsh <pdmarsh at mindspring.com> wrote in message
>> > news:38DD3697.21DDF752 at mindspring.com... among other things.....
>> >
>> > > I am having trouble identifying a number these, as well as
>> > > some other weird things, like a hammer-headed worm...
>> >
>> > This sounds like a species of Planarian. A free living class of
>> > Platyhelminth worms. I believe the beast in question originated in New
>> > Zealand. Stateside wormwatchers would be better placed to run it down to
>> > species than me on this side of the pond.
>> >
>> > Good luck.
>> >
>> > Stuart Roberts
>> > UK
>
>