Harmless Pests in the Garden

While some pests can be harmful to people or plants, some are benign or may even be helpful.  Anole lizards for example will eat mosquitoes or other bugs in the garden.  Other pests are smaller and will often arrive as hitchhikers on a plant purchased at a nursery.  I received a new snail on my sage plant.

 I have also found some slow moving flat worms around the garden.  I haven't identified these worms yet, but they appear to be benign.

These worms have excellent camouflage abilities.  They have a sticky surface that picks up dirt and debris from their surroundings.  They wear specks of their surroundings on their back like a turtle and move only their head dragging their shell behind.  My cat was fascinated with this little worm, as it appeared the floor was moving.  I don't know if they are poisonous, but I relocated him to a hedge outside just in case.  If you know the identity of this little worm, feel free to comment.