Lifted a garden pot and found this flat, dark purple blob. It looks like a slimy piece of liver with a pale border and is totally smooth. It’s frighteningly ugly. What is this thing?

The real danger lies in their impact on the ecosystem, particularly their predation on earthworms, which are crucial for soil health and fertility. This indirect effect can ultimately impact gardens and agricultural areas, making the presence of flatworms a concern for gardeners and farmers alike.

6. The Real Victims: How Flatworms Devastate Earthworm Populations

New Zealand flatworms are voracious predators of earthworms, and their presence in a garden can lead to a significant decline in earthworm populations. They hunt by secreting digestive enzymes onto their prey, dissolving them into a digestible liquid that the flatworm then consumes.