Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Images of Candidula intersecta by Mark Hitchcox/APHIS.

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Candidula intersecta (Poiret, 1801) (non-native)

Family: Hygromiidae
Common name: Wrinkled Helicellid

Identification
Width: 7 - 13 mm
Height: 5 - 8 mm
Whorls: 5.0 - 6.5

The shell of Candidula intersecta is a depressed heliciform shape with an apex that is a low, pointed dome. The umbilicus is deep and wide. Inside the aperture is a continuous callus, except upon the body whorl. The shell has irregular radial growth wrinkles, sporadically pronounced. Coloration is brown, reddish, or blackish broken stripes upon a tan or light brown background. Some shells are unbanded. The animal is gray above but paler or yellowish below.

Ecology
Candidula intersecta is introduced from western Europe. Its habitat is dry and open landscapes (Kerney & Cameron, 1979), and agricultural lands. It is a pest of fruit and fruit trees (White-McLean).

Taxonomy
A synonym for C. intersecta is Helicella caperata.       

Distribution
This snail is introduced globally, including South America, Australia, and the West and East Coasts of North America. In Virginia specimens have been found on the southern coast.

NatureServe Global Rank: G5
NatureServe State Rank: not ranked

 

Ken Hotopp 2/2013

Range Map