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First Report of Invasive Alien Species of Slug Laevicaulisharoldi in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Banke, Nepal

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Zoology, Mahendra Multiple Campus, Nepalgunj, Nepal Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 14, Issue (3), Pages 26-29, August,10 (2025)

Abstract

Laevicaulis haroldi Dundee, 1980 has been documented for the first time in Nepal in October 2023. It is a native species to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This invasive alien species was observed in the author’s back yard kitchen garden, and garden of Mahendra Multiple Campus Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city of Banke district, Lumbini Province, during farm work. The animal was closely inspected for 12 months and total 34 specimens, measuring an average of 4 ± 1.5 cm, were collected and confirmed as Laevicaulis haroldi, which is commonly known as Purcell’s hunter slug or Caterpillar slug. The species is a new fauna to Nepal and the present status of this invasive species is unknown in the country.

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