Decollate snail
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| Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The decollate snail (Rumina decollata) is an omnivorous land snail which is native to the Mediterranean region but has been introduced into North America and other areas as biological control against the brown garden snail. The decollate snail is a voracious predator, and feeds readily upon common garden snails and slugs and their eggs. The snail eats plant matter as well, but the damage it causes to plants is considered minor when compared with the benefit of its predation on garden snails and other plant pests. It will also consume harmless land gastropods and beneficial annelids.
The decollate snail is long and roughly cone-shaped. It grows to approximately 40 mm in length, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a decollate shape, tapering to a blunt end.
Decollate snails are tolerant of dry and cold conditions, during which they burrow deep into the soil. They are most active during the night and during rainfall.
[edit] External links
- A photo of decollates feeding on Helix
- Mary's Goodsnails information and source of snails.
- University of Florida page on carnivorous snails.
