France's snail population faces a new threat to its existence besides sophisticated diners: Platydemus manokwari, a type of flatworm ranked as the 72nd most invasive species in the world, the Guardian reported.

"This species is extraordinarily invasive," Jean-Lou Justine of the National Museum of Natural History, told the Guardian. "I really hope it can be stopped at the earliest stages. All snails in Europe could be wiped out. It may seem ironic, but it's worth pointing out the effect that this will have on French cooking."

Also known as New Guinea flatworms (for their country of origin) the species is capable of surviving at extreme altitudes (10,000 feet or greater) as long as conditions are mild (no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Thus, France and similarly temperate areas are suitable for their existence.

Capable of scaling trees for their prey or scouring the ground, the two-inch long (5 mm wide), black and white flatworms eat snails at a rapid pace. When they run out of snails, they turn to earthworms (necessary for turning the soil). Cousins of theirs, the New Zealand flatworm, are firmly entrenched in the British Isles and have significantly reduced their earthworm population, according to the Guardian.

"Platydemus manokwari represents a new and significant threat to biodiversity in France and Europe, which hosts hundreds of species of snails, some of which are endangered and protected," said PeerJ, a publisher of peer-reviewed studies, the Guardian reported. "It is therefore important to consider the implementation of eradication and control of this flatworm."

Researchers are currently investigating the best ways to reduce the region's flatworm population. Some countries in the area have also more heavily monitored agricultural transport across borders to halt their future spread.