GLOSSIPHONIA COMPLANATA

Order RHYNCHOBELLIDA

Family GLOSSIPHONIIDAE

Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Identification

Key, plus text and illustrations, is provided by Elliott and Dobson (2015).

Distribution

One of the most common and widespread leech species. Recent records from 1,352 hectads. Found across Great Britain, from Cornwall to Shetland.

Habitat and ecology

Feeds upon molluscs, worms and aquatic insect larvae. Occurs in almost all freshwater habitats.

Red dots are historical (> 10 years old), black dots current (<= 10 years old).

Image by Ric Else.

Image by Ric Else.

Image by Ric Else.