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• Testacella (Testacella) haliotidea Draparnaud 1801 Shelled slug

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© Dr Roy Anderson

© Dr Roy Anderson

Generally larger than the other two species, dull creamy-white or yellowish above without darker markings or with only faint brownish spots. Foot fringe and sole yellowish or whitish. Shell small and nearly triangular, 7-8 mm. long. Rare but very probably under-recorded.

Key characteristics

• A large yellowish-brown slug with small external shell perched near the tail
• -Colour not as variable as in the other species, yellowish to dull creamy-white without spotting, or at most with a scattering of pale brown spots
• Foot fringe and sole whitish
• Shell small, 7-8 mm. long and without a hooked apex

Size

80-120 mm.

World Distribution

Distributed from the British Isles along coasts in Europe to north Africa and into the western Mediterranean. Distribution type: Mediterranean-Atlantic (91).

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

This species has always been localised and rare in Ireland with sites mainly in the south and west. There is only a single recent record, for Blarney Co. Cork.

Ecology

• Like other Testacella, a species of rich, deep loams where it predates earthworms.

Red List status

• Vulnerable (VU).

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Testacella haliotidea