Friday 24 May
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Common garden slug (Arion distinctus)
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Find out here.Common garden slug fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Common garden slug description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class | Gastropoda |
| Order | Stylommatophora |
| Family | Arionidae |
| Genus | Arion (1) |
Once included in the aggregate species Arion hortensis agg, the garden slug (Arion distinctus) is still confused with the similar species Arion hortensis and Arion owenii (2). The common garden slug is a yellow-grey colour with a bluish-black head and tentacles (2). Towards the rear end of the slug there is a yellowish stripe in the middle of the back, there are also stripes around the sides of the body (2).
- Size
- Length: 3 cm (1)
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Related species
Common garden slug biology
The common garden slug breeds throughout much of the year and can be a serious pest of gardens as they attack cultivated plants, fruit, tubers and bulbs (1), which are eaten by means of a rasping tongue known as a radula. They emerge at night, and spend the day in moist places beneath stones, logs and other objects (1).
Slugs are related to snails; in the genus Arion, the shell is reduced to a group of calcareous granules below the 'mantle', which appears as a bulge on the upper surface of the slug (3).
Slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning that individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs, but self-fertilisation does not occur. During courtship, members of a pair follow each other in circles, whilst feeding on their partner's mucus trail (3).
TopCommon garden slug range
Widespread throughout Britain (1) and also found in Europe and North America (2).
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Species with a similar range
Common garden slug habitat
This slug is typically found in habitats with a strong human influence such as gardens and parks (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Common garden slug status
Common and widespread in Britain (1).
TopCommon garden slug threats
This slug is not threatened.
TopCommon garden slug conservation
Conservation action has not been targeted at this common species.
TopFind out more
For more on invertebrates and their conservation see Buglife, the Invertebrate Conservation Trust at:
http://www.buglife.org.uk/
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTopGlossary
- Calcareous
- Containing free calcium carbonate, chalky.
- Hermaphrodite
- Possessing both male and female sex organs.
- Radula
- In some molluscs, a narrow structure that bears teeth and is used to rasp at food.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (Jan 2003): http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
- Pfleger, V. & Chatfield, J. (1983) A guide to snails of Britain and Europe. The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Ltd., London.
- Janus, H. (1982) The illustrated guide to molluscs. Harold Starke Ltd., London.
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