Vineyard Snail

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Vineyard Snail - Vmenkov/Wikipedia | Vineyard Snail - Bernhard J Scheuvens | Vineyard Snail - Xvazquez/Wikipedia

Cernuella virgata

The shell can grow up to 19 mm high and 25 mm wide, with 5-7 whorls. Shell color not uniform, may have dark colored stripes, spots or bands.

Details
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Animals
Mollusc
Other Common Names
White snail, Striped snail, Zoned snail, Maritime garden snail
Biology

This introduced snail species can produce 60 eggs per clutch and as many as 40 clutches per year.
Distinctive Markings

Variable pale to dark brown markings on a cream-white background.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Stylommatophora
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Cernuella
Species
virgata
Native to the Mediterranean region and Western Europe. Widely distributed across southern Australia.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Produces and uses 'love darts' prior to mating. A major pest of agricultural small grain crops. Look for evidence such as empty shells.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Snails often target young seedlings and also eat roots and germinating seeds.
Habitat

Occurs in vineyards, crops and gardens. Has invaded native grasslands in Victoria.
Native Status
Introduced