Uci news

This predatory flatworm, native to tropical and subtropical regions but now invasive worldwide, stalks and then kills the good guys – aka earthworms – with grisly aplomb. Sensory organs on the underside of its unusual hammer-shaped head help the worm to detect its prey, which it then pins down with its head and body. The predator’s mouth, which is located halfway down its body, opens wide, and the back portion of the mouth extends forwards to form a sheet which then clamps around the earthworm. Digestive enzymes are secreted, turning the earthworm’s body into a tasty soup, which is then sucked up by the predator. When the job is done, any undigested material exits the worm the same way that it entered. Yes, that’s right, the hammerhead worm’s mouth is also its anus. Like all good Netflix villains, the hammerhead worm is also toxic. At least two species produce a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which they use to help subdue prey up to 100 times their own mass. They’re also re...

With around 17,500 species of butterflies in the world, these colourful critters are important pollinators that help maintain the ecosystem. They’ve adapted to live on every continent (except Antarctica) but generally prefer warm, open glades or woodland/forest. Butterflies are attracted to bright flowers and strong scents, and if you’re looking to attract butterflies to your garden, our sister magazine, Gardeners’ World , has put together this handy guide on how to make your garden butterfly friendly . The UK has 59 species of butterfly, 57 of which are endemic, with the other two – the Painted Lady and the Clouded Yellow – being regular migrants. Unfortunately, you won’t see any of the 10 largest species of butterfly here in the wild. The largest species of butterfly we have in the UK is the rare swallowtail butterfly ( papilio machaon britannicus ) , although it’s currently restricted to the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads. This is thanks to its highly selective nature when it c...