Macrobdella mimicus, the first new species of medicinal leech discovered in over 40 years. With an olive-green body encasing three jaws, each lined with more than 50 teeth, it looks like a ...

New leech species discovered during Nanjemoy expedition By Paul Lagasse [email protected] Aug 28, 2019 1 of 4 ...

The leech looked like the well-known M. decora species, but something was different. To distinguish among species, parasitologists usually look at the way pores are arranged on the bottom of a leech.

The new species is a non-bloodsucking aquatic leech that feeds on insect larvae, according to researchers. Photo by Tang Y, Liu Z, Xiang H, Li L, Li S, Zou Y, Nakano T (2025).

It is the first new species of leech in more than 40 years, WTTG reported. The leeches were discovered in Southern Maryland swamps, just outside Washington, D.C., according to The Washington Post.

Li, T. et al. (2025.) The leech’s body lacks pigment, which is commonly seen among cave-dwelling species, according to the study.

The new species is a non-bloodsucking aquatic leech that feeds on insect larvae, according to researchers. Photo by Tang Y, Liu Z, Xiang H, Li L, Li S, Zou Y, Nakano T (2025).

It is the first new species of leech in more than 40 years, WTTG reported. The leeches were discovered in Southern Maryland swamps, just outside Washington, D.C., according to The Washington Post.

Li, T. et al. (2025.) The leech’s body lacks pigment, which is commonly seen among cave-dwelling species, according to the study.

The new species is a non-bloodsucking aquatic leech that feeds on insect larvae, according to researchers. Photo by Tang Y, Liu Z, Xiang H, Li L, Li S, Zou Y, Nakano T (2025).