Land Snails

Photo(s): Image from Wikipedia © Zachi Evenor.

Click photo to enlarge.

Cornu Aspersum (Müller, 1774) (non-native)

Family: Helicidae
Common name: Brown Gardensnail

Identification
Width: 25-35 mm
Height: 25-40 mm
Whorls: 4.5+

The shell of Cornu aspersum is globe-shaped with a reflected lip and a closed umbilicus. The shell is light brown or yellowish with a variable number of dark brown spiral bands that are often interrupted with lighter radial streaks or spots. The lip is whitish. The animal is a medium-brown or gray.

Ecology
Cornu asperum is a European and Mediterranean native found in almost any habitat, from parks and gardens to woodlands, scrub, grasslands, or dunes (Kerney & Cameron, 1979). Although it isa globally popular edible snail, it is also a pest of vegetables, grains, flowers, and fruit trees (in White-McLean, 2011). In North America it lives on rich soils in gardens and farmland (Pilsbry, 1939).

Taxonomy
Synonyms for Cornu aspersum include Helix aspersa, and Pomatia aspersa. In recent years, some workers have classified it in the genera Cantareus or Cryptomphalus.

Distribution
This animal is found on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, Pilsbry (1939) reported it only from locations in California, Louisiana and South Carolina, but NatureServe (2013) now reports C. aspersum from 16 states and two provinces. In Virginia specimens are reported from both ends of the state - Accomack, Chesapeake, and Wise Counties.

Cornu aspersum is an agricultural pest in several states, especially California.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank:G5, Secure.

 

Ken Hotopp 2/2013

Range Map (click to enlarge)