Lövplattmasken Obama nungara

Obama nungara is an invasive flatworm native to South America. The name “Obama” originates from the Tupi language and can be translated as "leaf animal" (Oba=leaf Ma=animal). It has been unintentionally introduced into Europe and the United States via plant trade.

Recognize the flatworm

• Obama nungara is about 5-8 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide. The colour on the upper side varies between beige and dark brown with black longitudinal lines. The underside is beige.
• The eggs are roughly 0.5 cm in size and initially bright red, changing into dark brown after a few days.
• Obama nungara is a predator that lives off earthworms, slugs, snails and other flatworms. It lives on the soil but can burrow down to 20 cm.
• In nature it is usually found under pieces of wood, stones and leaves.

Findings

In Sweden it has so far been found in and under potted plants that have been imported from continental Europe. Obama nungara has been found on several different types of plants, from different wholesalers and at several nurseries. We therefore issue advice to everyone who handles imported plant material.

Prevent the spread

There are currently no reliable ways to eradicate Obama nungara or other potentially invasive flatworms. It is also not known how well O. nungara can survive or establish in Swedish nature. Therefore, the most important thing now is to prevent the spread to and within Sweden.

The species must be killed if found

On December 5, 2024, the Swedish government decided on emergency measures against O. nungara, this means that from January 7, 2025, it is prohibited to intentionally keep the species, allow it to grow, to transfer or exchange it and to release it into nature.

Therefore, all specimens of the species must be killed if found, and searches must take place to ensure that no further living specimens are found in the country. As O. nungara has been found on many different plants, from many suppliers, no plant material from Europe is currently considered risk-free. So, for now it is presumed that all imported plant material may be affected.

Emergency measures

From 7 January 2025, the County Administrative Boards of Sweden (Länsstyrelsen) can also make decisions on eradication, exercise targeted supervision and instruct persons or companies to take measures.

Primarily, however, we want to work together with both the companies and the public, so the first step is communication. We need to find a system for self-control that works for the companies, without too much impact on the business, whilst at the same time, a reasonably good security against spread of invasive species is achieved.

Prevention in the plant industry

The plant industry has an important role in preventing the spread of the potentially harmful flatworm Obama nungara. This is done by checking imported potted plant material. In general, the risk of spreading is low with bare-rooted material.

The current advice to those that import or otherwise handle imported plant material within Sweden to:

• Isolate the plants on a hard surface or textile membrane upon arrival.
• Check the ground or surface under the pot.
• Check the bottom of the pot itself.
• Lift out the plant and check the pot and the root/soil ball.
• Check under troughs/pallets.
• Check for eggs but note that these are usually hard to spot.

A flashlight is helpful, even during the day, as the flatworms often glimmer when they get a light source on them. It is advised to use gloves when handling O. nungara as the species has a secretion that can be irritating to the skin.

Check plant material to avoid spreading

This advice is specifically aimed at the new flatworm; however, it can also be used to avoid spreading other non-native, and potentially invasive, species. If everyone in the chain, from importing all the way through to the completed planting back into the ground, takes responsibility for checking the plants they buy and sell, we can minimize the risk of spread and save costs in the future.

Other species that can be spread by importing plants include the New Zealand flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) and the four ant species; tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata), red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) and little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). These species are already covered by the EU regulation on invasive species today.

Report findings!

If you are in Sweden and find something you believe is an invasive species, flatworm or otherwise, please take a picture and contact the proper authorities. If possible, contact the regional County Administrative Board or e-mail picture and location of the finding to henrik.lange@naturvardsverket.se

If you find an invasive flatworm, please collect it, take a picture (for reporting and identification) and then kill it by pouring boiling water over it.

Other species

Flatworms can be confused with other type of worms and leeches; however, those have segments (rings) around their bodies. Sometimes, slugs in poor condition can also be confused with flatworms; however, slugs have ridges on their back body, a mantle (with breathing pore) and tentacles at the front end.