The Large Black Slug at Honolulu

Abstract

LAST month, when in the Mansa Valley, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, I became acquainted with the large slug which is now common in that locality. A living specimen was handed to me by Dr. Robert Faus, and later Dr. Montague Cooke gave me a good series from the collection of the Bishop Museum. Until recent years these slugs were unknown in the islands, and no doubt remained that they had been introduced. Nevertheless, as Dr. Cooke informed me, no one knew whence they came, or what (if any) described species they represented. I find that they agree with Veronicella Jeydigi, described from specimens collected at Brisbane, Queensland. Simroth, who made the species known, gave good coloured figures, and figured the anatomy. Henry Tryon (1899) gave a popular account of the slug, showing that it was destructive in gardens. Both he and C. Hedley were of the opinion that the animal had been introduced from some unknown locality. Dr. Willey lound specimens at Esafate, Newr Hebrides, and this may be the original home.