First records of the invasive slug Arion lusitanicus auct. non Mabille (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Arionidae) in Romania

The invasive pest slug Arion lusitanicus (also known as Arion vulgaris) has spread throughout much of Europe within the last 60 years, becoming one of the worst agricultural and horticultural pest species. It has now been detected in Romania for the first time. There are dense populations at two sites in Braşov County (2013) and another occurrence in Mureş County (2012). We review occurrences in neighbouring countries and discuss evidence that A. lusitanicus might have arrived in Romania earlier. Further research on the species’ spread in Romania and on its impact on the native fauna and flora is necessary.