Synonyms: Bipalium costaricense, Placocephalus isabellinus, Placocephalus kewensis, Sphyrocephalus kewensis.
Presumed to be native to Southeast Asia, but now found worldwide, probably human-assisted via transport of rooted plants (Winsor, 1983). Found in residential gardens and wooded areas, beneath stones or wood (Ogren, Yuster, and Norden).
By far the longest fan-headed terrestrial planarian in North America (B. Norden, pers. comm.). This is a long, slender, strap-like planarian. The head form is semilunar without recurved auricles. Body color is yellowish. Dorsal part of the head is black. Dorsally on the body there are five slender black stripes. The single median stripe begins behind the head and continues to the rear. In the neck region are black pigmented plates on either side that receive paired lateral and marginal stripes. Ventrally there are two black stripes separated by the creeping sole. (Ogren, Yuster, and Norden)
Feeds on earthworms.
There are 2 records in the project database.
| GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |
_norden_land_planarian02.jpg "A <em>Bipalium kewense</em> in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (9/10/2009). Determined by Butch Norden. (Photo ID: 116378 - Psn: 80)")
