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Freshwater Leech - Phylum Annelida, Class Clitellata, Subclass Hirudinea, Helobdella stagnalis I think this is a Helobdella stagnalis leech, but will seek confirmation.<br /> <br /> I tried to get it to feed on me, but it wouldn&#039;t...This was a clue that led me to the genus Helobdella because they do not feed on blood.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Pond<br /> <br /> Also seen here:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/93392/leech_egg_case.html" title="Leech Egg Case"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/93392_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1718236810&Signature=t4myn2IJsltT7FNGpfJqYbyLFvE%3D" width="200" height="154" alt="Leech Egg Case In this photo, the egg case is to the left of two leeches.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Freshwater, woodland pond<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/93390/egg_case.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/93391/egg_case_removed_from_leaf.html Geotagged,Spring,United States,egg case,leech,leech egg case" /></a></figure> Geotagged,Helobdella stagnalis,Hirudinea,Spring,United States,annelida,clitellata,helobdella,leech Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Freshwater Leech - Phylum Annelida, Class Clitellata, Subclass Hirudinea, Helobdella stagnalis

I think this is a Helobdella stagnalis leech, but will seek confirmation.

I tried to get it to feed on me, but it wouldn't...This was a clue that led me to the genus Helobdella because they do not feed on blood.

Habitat: Pond

Also seen here:

Leech Egg Case In this photo, the egg case is to the left of two leeches.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Freshwater, woodland pond<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/93390/egg_case.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/93391/egg_case_removed_from_leaf.html Geotagged,Spring,United States,egg case,leech,leech egg case

    comments (10)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    Yay, weird stuff is getting out, and I just love weird stuff. What do they feed on? Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
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      I think they eat snails, and maybe other invertebrates. Posted 4 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
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        Ok so a french leech. Posted 4 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
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          Hehe. Actually, I have been corrected by David (see below)...they eat midge larvae, worms, and possibly other invertebrates. Escargot is not on the menu for this leech. Posted 4 years ago
  3. View Barry's profile
    Barry
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    You tried to get it to feed on you . . . ? Was that wise? Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
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      Lol! I only tried to get it to feed on me to help identify it ;). Posted 4 years ago
  5. View NattyOne's profile
    NattyOne
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    Great, Christine, according to what I read, they eat mostly earthworms and non-biting midges Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
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      Oh really, interesting! Thanks for the correction!

      I did bring this leech home and still have it. I put it in a container with snails and it hasn't even tried to eat any. Too bad I didn't catch any worms or midge larvae at the pond for it. I stuck some other invertebrates in the container as well, but again - it wasn't interested in them. I'm going to dig up some worms in my yard to see if it will eat one. Shouldn't be hard to find since it's pouring rain outside. I'm not sure if it will eat a terrestrial worm or just aquatic worms. Worth a shot though.

      Either way, the leech will be going home to its natural pond habitat tomorrow morning.       Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
      1. View NattyOne's profile
        NattyOne
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        Just thought I'd better look - fascinating - thanks for the lead ;¬)

        https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1980.tb04244.x         Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
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          Thanks for the link! Interesting info. Posted 4 years ago

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The Helobdella stagnalis

Helobdella stagnalis is a freshwater, jawless leech in the family Glossiphoniidae.

Info 2 0
Similar species: Jawless Leeches
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Apr 28, 2020. Captured Apr 28, 2020 03:03 in 281 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 38,035 9,142 8
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/4.0
  • 1/166s
  • ISO125
  • 100mm

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