What is it?

A highly invasive non-native species that has spread from the Ponto-Caspian Region of Eastern Europe. As a voracious predator it kills a range of native species, including young fish, and significantly alters ecosystems.

The first known outbreak of this species was found in Grafham Water on 3 September 2010.

Please watch  – BBC TV: Countryfile, 6.30pm, BBC1, Sunday 10 October 2010

  How do you identify it?

• Total body length of up to 30 mm (large for a freshwater amphipod).

• May appear striped or uniform in coloration pattern.

• Mandibles are relatively large.

• Behaviour is particularly vicious and destructive.

Dikerogammarus villosus www.nonnativespecies.org

If you find this species, please send a photo and details of the sighting to: alert_nonnative@ceh.ac.ukHelp stop the spread of this species by:

Boaters

• Inspecting and cleaning boats and kit before and after use

• Inspecting and cleaning launching trailers

• Draining all bilge water from boats before leaving the site

Anglers

• Inspecting and cleaning tackle before and after use.

• Clean and dry all nets and tackle after use.

• Check for any signs of the Shrimp on your equipment.

• Making sure no lake water is taken away with your kit.

• Not transferring live bait between water bodies.

External links to news reports

Defra

BBC

Gofishing