Eleutherocaulis haroldi explained

Eleutherocaulis haroldi, known as Purcell's hunter slug or the caterpillar slug, is a species of tropical land slug in the family Veronicellidae, the leatherleaf slugs. It was first formally named Laevicaulis haroldi in 1980.

Distribution

Eleutherocaulis haroldi is native to South Africa.

Conservation status

In its home range in South Africa, Eleutherocaulis haroldi is endangered; it is threatened by habitat loss.. It has been introduced accidentally in India and is becoming an invasive pest.^{[1] [2] [3]} The species was first reported feeding and causing damage to Mulberry plants in Maharashtra.^[4] It is speculated to have reached India through various airports and international trade.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Chemmencheri. Ramakrishnan Sreeraj. Invasion of the exotic slug, Laevicaulis haroldi Dundee, 1980 in Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,India. BioInvasions Records. 10. 1. 21-27.
2. Web site: 2021-07-16. Meet the caterpillar slug, a potential future invader to India. 2021-08-31. The Indian Express. en.
3. Mahapatra. Biswa Bhusana. N.A. Aravind. Laevicaulis haroldi (Veronicellidae: Gastropoda), a potential future invader to India. Current Science. 120. 11. 1781-1785.
4. Avhad. Sunil.B. Shinde. K.S. Jalba. Hiware Chandrashekhar. Record of molluscan pests in mulberry gardens in aurangabad district of Maharashtra State, India. Indian Journal of Sericulture. 52. 1. 29-33.
5. Web site: (PDF) Laevicaulis haroldi (Mollusca, Veronicellidae): a 40-year journey from Natal (South Africa) to Kolkata (India). 2021-08-31. ResearchGate. en.