Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774 )

Rapalai, Boikhutso Lerato, 2024, An annotated checklist of molluscs recorded from Botswana, Indago: Investigating nature and humanity in Africa (Oxford, England) 41 (10), pp. 15-44 : 32-33

1. Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774)

Distribution and year: Francistown 2019 ( GBIF 2023 b).

Habitat: Terrestrial.

Native range: Mediterranean region (Sherpa et al. 2018), from north-west Africa, western Europe and eastwards towards Asia.

Extent of invasion: The species is cosmopolitan, being introduced either accidentally or deliberately as a source of animal feed ( Guiller et al. 2012). It is now found in regions such as Australia, eastern and southern regions of Africa, New Zealand, North America and southern South America ( GaitÁn-Espitia et al. 2013).

Notes: The molluscs were imported deliberately to Southern Africa around the 1850s as a food resource ( Herbert & Kilburn 2004). The species is now considered a notorious agricultural pest, constantly devouring citrus orchards and vineyards ( Barker & Watts 2002). The molluscs are eaten in some parts of the world and often utilised as a main ingredient in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics ( JØrgensen & SØrensen 2008).

Type locality: In Italy ( MÜller 1774) .

Source: GBIF (2023 b).