Greenleaf worms

 

Eulalia viridis

 

These beautiful bright green worms can be found on mussel beds and seen crawling across rock-covered barnacles when the tide is out.

They are pretty common but their bright colour makes them a joy to see.

 

Greenleaf worms exploring their surroundings, looking for food.

A greenleaf worm digging deep into a barnacle shell.

This footage shows a greenleaf worm apparently attacking a smaller worm.

 

A round green mass of greenleaf worm eggs.

 

A greenleaf worm apparently feeding on a live barnacle. The barnacle's plates - trapdoor - seem intact although perhaps pushed to one side.

 

This is an interesting sight as it is thought that the worm's diet is primarly moribund or dead animal tissue.

 

Below is a video of the same.