The invasive flatworm Obama nungara has been discovered in central Malmö.
"This is a species that is potentially very harmful", says Cajza Eriksson, coordinator for the work against invasive species in Skåne, in a press release from the county administrative board.
She states that Obama nungara eats earthworms and snails and poses a threat to, for example, earthworms, which are important for the ecosystem to break down plant parts and create new soil.
The flatworm was found in a public planting and when additional plants from the same nursery were examined, more worms were found.
"Unfortunately, it was different plants with different delivery dates, which suggests that the flatworm is well spread among the German supplier. Moreover, it is a large supplier that delivers to several nurseries", says Cajza Eriksson.
The name Obama nungara comes from the Brazilian indigenous language Tupi and has nothing to do with former American President Barack Obama.
"The species will be difficult to combat if it has spread widely. Therefore, it is very urgent that everyone who sees the flatworm reports this to us", says Cajza Eriksson.
