Helicella itala

Family

Helicidae

Species

Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common name

Heath snail

Description

This species has white, tan or pale yellow shells that are approximately 5-12 mm high and 9-25 mm wide, with 5.5-6.5 whorlsWhorls:
Pleural of whorl. A whorl is a complete spiral turn/growth of the shell of a mollusc. The whorls are counted from the apex outwards.
. There may also be dark brown stripes on the conicalConical:
Shell shape: shells with an elongated spire that tapers to a point and are slightly broader at the base.
shell of this group. The shellShell:
A hard, inflexible, calcareous or chitinous structure that vary in size and may either completely encasing the animal, covering some part of it or be internal.
has a wide umbilicusUmbilicus:
A navel-like indentation or depression in the center of the shell. It may be described as open (inside of columella visible), partially closed (partly covered by base of aperture) or completely closed (not visible). The width of the umbilicus is a measure of its greatest diameter.
.

Native range

Western Europe

Distribution

Europe: Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Poland

Australia

Ecology

This species occupies open habitats, including grasslands. It can also be found in disturbed habitats (e.g. roadsides, railways and forested dunes). The heath snail aestivates on vertical objects (e.g., blades of grass). This species is generally considered a contaminant; however, in agricultural setting this species may achieve pest status when there is a high population density. Large numbers of heath snails can clog machinery and add moisture to harvested crops. This added moisture often leads to spoilage and in some cases infestation by secondary pathogens. Some secondary pathogens are capable of producing toxins which may be harmful to humans and cattle. They produce a maximum of 90 eggs per clutch and can live up to 3 years, reproducing twice per year.

Synonyms

• Helicella ericetorum O.F. Muller

References

Anderson 2005; Kerney et al. 1979