About Caenoplana coerulea Moseley, 1877
Caenoplana coerulea is a long, narrow flatworm. Its upper surface is shiny black or dark brown, while its underside is medium blue—this coloration is the source of its specific epithet coerulea and its common name "blue planarian". A narrow longitudinal stripe, which can be creamy, fawn, or yellow, runs down the center of the worm's upper surface. This species has multiple eyespots, and the head of some individuals has a pinkish color. Adult Caenoplana coerulea reach a length of 6 to 12 cm. This flatworm is native to Eastern Australia, but has been accidentally introduced to many other locations: New Zealand, the Balearic Islands, Argentina, the Canary Islands, France, Portsmouth in the U.K, and multiple U.S. states including California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa. Caenoplana coerulea occurs in moist forest areas. During drier periods, it shelters under rocks, under rotting logs, and within leaf litter. It is most often spotted after heavy rain.
