Fast recent expansion of the Spanish slug (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Arionidae) across Ukraine

Abstract

The Spanish slug, a species that is considered to be the most destructive pest among molluscs of Europe, is reported to spread widely across Ukraine during last 5-7 years. In addition to its 5 known colonies in Western Ukraine, over 60 new localities from Western, Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Ukraine are reported for the first time using own materials and reports with photo from the general public. Newly reported localities include such major cities as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Khmelnitsky, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Zhytomyr, Lutsk, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk, and also the settlements in Odesa and Mykolaiv Regions. Species is also reported for the first time from Grodno City in Belarus and from Moscow City in Russia. Much wider future expansion of the Spanish slug in Eastern Europe is expected in near time.