Zut alors! What is this flatworm in my escargot?


Voracious feeder: The invasive New Guinea flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) has a huge appetite for snails. ¿ Photo from AFP

An invasive species of flatworms from South-East Asia is threatening to decimate a European culinary delicacy.

Snails, one of France’s signature dishes, could be off the menu if the country fails to stem an invasion by a slimy worm from South-East Asia. The warning is being sounded over a voracious species called the New Guinea flatworm. It is already on a list of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in the world as it has a relentless appetite for native snails and earthworms in places where it has been introduced.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Environment

Planetary Health Matters: Sumatra floods are a wake-up call for Malaysia
Wild and woolly crime around the world
The fight to save Malaysia's sea turtles must go on
Turtle numbers are up – but threats still loom large
Ecowatch: COP30 2025, by the numbers
Planetary Health Matters: A call to heal the planet with a bold vision
Ecowatch: How people are saving the world
Planetary Health Matters: The planet is at a tipping point
Elections and their big, bad ‘ungreen’ footprint
Ecowatch: Are we still gulping down oil?

Others Also Read