The new study has predicted a fresh threat for India. And surprisingly, we are not even speaking about a mass weapon as a threat right here. The possible threat current findings have warned us against is–Purcell’s hunter slug or caterpillar slug which could grow to be an invasive species attacking western and Peninsula India, the study added. The slug (Laevicaulis haroldi– initial described in 1980) entered India about 2010-2012 accidentally by means of international trade through Mumbai. It has been listed as an endangered species and reportedly feeds on leaves and barks of mulberry plants. Not significantly we know as of now about this species but it has been spotted on neem trees, calotropis and papaya plants. There are now 60 records of this species from all more than the nation.
The distribution of this species has been studied with the aid of the Biodiversity Portal, iNaturalist web page, and other relevant previous research by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Additionally, they have also studied future climate modify scenarios to have an understanding of and clarify the locations which could be vulnerable to the slug attack. “We have used two scenarios RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5 (on the scale of best and worst case scenario) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),” Aravind N.A, Corresponding author and Associate Professor at ATREE was quoted as saying in the Indian Express report. “2.6 here is the best-case scenario where emissions and anthropogenic could be limited upto a certain extent. Whereas 8.5 stands for the worst case scenario. We have a high-risk future in terms of temperature and other climatic changes,” added Aravind N.A.
Under each the climatic scenarios, most components of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana (southern aspect), Karnataka, northeast Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, western Maharashtra, coastal Odisha, West Bengal, and also, some states in North East India are suspected to attract the slug.
About the financial loss
This invasive species has expense almost $1.3 trillion dollars to the international economy (due to the fact 1970) and an typical of $26.8 billion per year, recommend reports. Several research have also pointed out that invasive species are accountable for the extinction of native and endemic species on the planet. According to Dr Aravind, predators and prey evolve with each other in a locality and when a new species requires birth, there is no one to consume/consume it or preserve a verify on it. He also added that this type of species thrives as they do not have key predators in the newly grown area.
Early detection is the important
The early detection and handle are important for managing newly introduced species ahead of they grow to be invasive, the report recommended. We require to spread a word and awareness amongst the forest managers, agriculturists, horticulturists and farmers to detect, handle and handle this newly located species. A strict quarantine in the ports must also come into play to prevent additional introductions, concluded the paper.