Origin

Xerolenta obvia or heath snail is a land snail favoring dry grassy areas. It grows up to about 0.63 in (16 mm) high and about 0.87 in (22 mm) in diameter, with from 5-6 whorls. The flattened globular shell is opaque white with dark brown to black spiral stripes. The outer strip is usually the darkest, with stripes fading as they move inward. The oval aperture is thin and brittle, and the edges may be broken. The umbilicus or shell navel is wide open and obvious. X. obvia is a native of Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor.

Life Cycle

X. obvia lays a single clutch of 17-95 eggs, buried about 0.8 in (2 cm) deep in the soil. Adults die after laying the eggs. Egg laying activity is usually highest in October. X. obvia seems to be maintaining its native region breeding season, where the summer is not suitable for egg and hatchling survival. They aestivate (rest) during the hottest driest months of summer and hibernate under leaf litter during the winter.

Distribution

X. obvia prefer dry, open habitats, such as heath, dunes and sand hills, open meadows and rocky hillsides. It known to feed on fodder crops as well as a wide range of plant species of minimal economic importance. It is also intercepted in shipments of fruits and vegetables from Italy and Bulgaria to other European countries. X. obvia is a vector of fungal pathogens and a vector of sheep and goat parasites.

Control Efforts

For control of X. obvia see USDA APHIS PPQ Regulatory Procedures as a guide to the regulations that must be followed by personnel when conducting pest survey and control programs against temperate climate pest snails and slugs in the United States and collaborating territories. Link to Guidelines.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Michigan’s Prohibited and Restricted Species

References