Learn about Flatworms

Bugs/ InvertebratesEarth and Soil
Written By Kim Manunui

Terrestrial flatworms are often confused with slugs, but flat worms are very flat compared to slugs. They are different from typical earthworms as they are unsegmented- they don’t have sections like worms do. Similar to other worms, flat worms contract and stretch out to glide along the soil which can change their body length. They glide with help from a thin muscus (slimy) layer. They can come in a variety of colours and patterns.

Terrestrial flatworms eat other small bugs, including slugs, snails, earthworms, and other soil invertebrates. They use chemical signals to detect their food deep in the soil. Flatworms play a role in the decomposition (break down) of these creatures, recycling them into nutrient rich soil. They eat their prey by secreting a thick muscus subtance that externally (outside of the body) digests the prey.

One of Aotearoa’s native flatworm species, an earthworm eater, has become a pest species in Europe. It may have been accidentally introduced through the trading of soil and plants. Learn more about the issues the NZ flatworm have caused in Europe HERE.

Flatworms are very delicate, so it is best to look with your eyes, rather than touch if you find any.

Learn more HERE.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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