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• Cernuella (Cernuella) virgata (Da Costa 1778) Striped snail

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© Dr Roy Anderson

© Dr Roy Anderson

© Dr Roy Anderson

A moderately large, globular shell with a relatively high, convex spire of 5-7 whorls. Whorls convex with moderate sutures. Umbilicus narrow. Mouth circular with white or brown internal rib. Surface white or ginger with broad, irregular growth ridges and either with only one thin, reddish peripheral spiral band or with several dark brown spiral bands which may be interrupted or fused. Widespread in dry pastures and coastal dunes.

Key characteristics

• A moderately large, opaque white, globular shell
• Whorls convex with moderately deep sutures
• Umbilicus narrow
• Mouth circular with white or brown internal rib
• White to ginger in colour with either one thin, reddish peripheral band or with several dark brown spiral bands or without banding at all - when unbanded usually with ginger colouration around the aperture
• Shell marked with irregular growth ridges

Size

9-18 mm.

World Distribution

A Mediterranean species now widespread in western France, the low countries and the British Isles.

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

Like other xerophilous helicids this is found inland only in the south central plain and is entirely coastal elsewhere. In north-east Ireland it is rare and known only from Ballycastle Golf Course, Co. Antrim and Greencastle Point, Co. Down.

Ecology

• Usually found clustered on tall vegetation or partially buried in sand or soil in dry grasslands or coastal dunes
• It has spread to some degree in Ireland during the historical period by colonising the ballast and dry slopes skirting railway lines

Red List status

• Least concern (lc).

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Cernuella virgata