Biogeographic distribution

The biogeography of Polycarpa papillata is wide with individuals being found from tropical to sub-tropical/temperate waters.  The species range has been observed from Brazil, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Moreton Bay, Tweed Head and down as south as South Australia (Kott, 1985; Butler and Connolly, 1996; Rocha et.al 2012).  However they are an invasive species in some of these areas.