MOLLUSCS

SLUGS

Hedgehog Slug  Arion intermedius (1.5-2cm long) varies in colour and patterning. It may be white, grey or orange. The tentacles are grey and the sole is yellow or orange. When stimulated it becomes very compact and the body becomes roundish similar in shape to a hedgehog, with the tubercles on the dorsal surface somewhat resembling prickles. This species feed on plants and fungi in grassland and forests.

Dusky Slug  Arion subfuscus   (5–7cm long) appears in various colour forms, such as black-brown, olive-brown and reddish-orange. Darker lateral bands are present. The tentacles can be pale or dark. The foot fringe is light with slender lines and the sole is evenly pale. It has orange-yellow mucus. The body does not contract when stimulated. This species typically lives in moist, cool soil and feeds on animal droppings, dead insects, algae, fungi, fresh and decaying vegetation and fruit.

The Black Slug Arion ater and Red Slug Arion rufus are often treated as the aggregate Arion ater agg. when being recorded. The former is typically deep black, however it may also be brown or white. The latter is rust-brown, but can only be reliably told apart by dissecting the genitalia. These large species (10-15cm) are omnivorous, feeding on living and dead plants, rotting organic debris, fungi, dung, carrion, earthworms and even other slugs. A. rufus will often rock from side to side when irritated which may help distinguish it from A. Ater.

Tree Slug Lehmannia marginata is often found climbing tree trunks. It is a medium-sized species (up to 12cm) with a nearly transparent body which is fairly long and narrow with a marked keel. The keel looks paler than the remaining body against the darker innards. This species secretes a clear mucus.

Leopard Slug  Limax maximus   is a large species (10–20 cm) and is usually light grey or grey-brown. The body is longitudinally streaked or spotted with black, however some specimens are sparsely marked. The shield is always black-spotted and the sole of the foot is ash or yellowish.The foot-fringe is light with a row of tiny submarginal blackish tubercles. This species secretes a clear, non-sticky mucus. They mate in an unusual manner, hanging intertwined in the air held by a thick thread of mucus. Leopard Slugs are omnivorous eating a variety of foods including fungi, carrion, and fresh and decaying plants. Also known as the Great Grey Slug.

Green Cellar Slug Limacus maculatus originates from the Caucasus and Black Sea Coast and has now spread across Europe. It is also known as the Irish Yellow Slug. This species feeds on decaying plant material and is not considered a pest because it does not feed on live plants. It is similar in appearance to Yellow Cellar Slug Limacus flavus, however that species seems to be in decline. Both species produce clear yellow slime. The Yellow Cellar Slug has a long yellow stripe running along the centre of the tail that is absent on the Green Cellar Slug.

Limacus species lay lemon-shaped eggs strung together like a necklace. They can often found under logs.

Do you know? A group of slugs can be called a rout, a walk, or a cornucopia.