THE DISTRIBUTION OF NEW-ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN TERRESTRIAL FLATWORMS (PLATYHELMINTHES, TURBELLARIA, TRICLADIDA, TERRICOLA) IN THE BRITISH-ISLES - THE SCOTTISH SURVEY AND MEGALAB WORMS

The New Zealand flatworm, Artioposthia triangulata, and the Australian flatworm, Caenoplana alba, have become quite widespread in the Britis h Isles since their introduction, probably in the early 1960s. They ar e considered as pest species since they eat earthworms and consequentl y may affect soil structure and fertility. The distribution of the two species has been recorded by two surveys: a Scottish survey between 1 991 and 1993, and a national survey, MEGALAB WORMS, in March 1995. The latter was organized as part of National Science Week: by BBC TV Tomo rrow's World, The Daily Telegraph newspaper and the Office of Public S ervice and Science. Results of both surveys are presented as distribut ion maps of confirmed records. New Zealand flatworms are common and wi despread in Northern Ireland and Central Scotland, and occur less comm only in other parts of Scotland, and in Northern England. There are a few scattered records from Southern England. The Scottish survey has r esulted in retrospective distribution maps. Australian flatworms are w idespread in South West England, and are found in several places in No rth West England. There are also records from South and North Wales, N orthern Ireland and one from Southern Scotland. There were many false and negative reports. There are records of both species from the Repub lic of Ireland.