Dendrocoelum lacteum
This flatworm can be over 2cm in length and is very sticky due to the mucus it produces to help it glide and also to put off potential predators. It is milky white with its gut a more dense white.
Almost anywhere there is water particularly in lakes and rivers.
All year round.
Mainly predatory on crustacea, especially Water Hoglouse, but also on other species.
Widespread in most of Britain
David Nicholls
Ratby garden
24 February 2023
David Nicholls
Ratby garden
19 February 2017
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Species profile
- Species group:
- Worms
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Seriata
- Family:
- Dendrocoelidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 4
- First record:
- 20/03/2009 (Nicholls, David)
- Last record:
- 24/02/2023 (Nicholls, David)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.