About Parmarion martensi Simroth, 1893
Parmarion martensi Simroth, 1893 is an air-breathing land semislug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk that belongs to the family Ariophantidae. Its probable native distribution is in Southeast Asia. The species has already become established in the USA, where it is regarded as a potentially serious threat. It acts as an invasive pest that could have negative impacts on agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health, and commerce, so experts have suggested it should be classified as having top national quarantine significance in the USA. It is already considered a pest species in Hawaii. In terms of ecology, Parmarion martensi is a host for the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the parasite that causes rat lungworm disease. In Hawaiian gardens, this semislug feeds on lettuce and papaya, which contributes to its status as a pest.
