DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION STATUS OF THE SPANISH SLUG IN ZHYTOMYR

Abstract

In Zhytomyr, the Spanish slug was first discovered in 2018. The study found that the population of Spanish slugs in Zhytomyr occupied an area of 72670 m2. In all cases, numerous plants damage was recorded in the habitats of the Spanish slug. The slugs were located below the leaves and on the soil in the bush of ruderal species. In some cases, their presence could be established by the presence of orange slime on the leaves of the plants. In the study areas, other species of terrestrial molluscs occurred near the Spanish slug: Arion fasciatus (Nilsson, 1823), Arion fuscus (O. F. Müller, 1774), Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758, Cepaea vindobonensis Ferussac, 1821 and Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758.Next year, the area occupied by this population increased to 92300 m2 at the expense of adjacent territories with favorable living conditions. Due to the fact that the spring of 2019 was quite cold, the slugs began to appear only in early May. As in the first population, other species of terrestrial molluscs occurred near the Spanish slug in the studied areas. In addition, a new population of 52790 m2 was discovered in 2019. That is, compared to 2018, the area covered by the invasion of Spanish slugs in Zhytomyr has doubled (145090 m2). Such high growth rates of the area occupied by the population of the Spanish slug, indicate its active settlement in the territory of Zhytomyr. In the near future, it is expected that it will appear in other biotopes suitable for the existence of this species in the city.