Garden snails in windowsill pots (Vallonia exentrica or V. pulchella); elongated snail (Cochlicopa lubrica).
Garden snails appearing in potted, windowsill plants: circular snails (Vallonia exentrica or V. pulchella); elongated snail (Cochlicopa lubrica).
Observations of elongated and concentric snails, in potted, windowsill plants (indoor ambience: 15°C & 73% RH) prompted their removal and examination initially with a Tor-Deluxe Triple Tested 600X (eyepiece lenses: 10X & 15X; stage objective lenses: 8X, 20X & 40X; magnifications: 80X & 120X, 200X & 300X, and 400X & 600X, respectively) five aperture portable optical microscope (25cm in height). The magnified image at 80X was considerable. Two varieties were observed: elongated, tapered shell (one of 5mm) and spiral, concentric shell (six of 2mm). Their shells were pale cream in colour which darkened after feeding. Their propensity to accumulate in clusters on soil clods, bits of bark, stems and the sides of pots, was evident. Soil mixes were created from local patches, used tea leaves, chopped banana skins, sand and garden mulch (ref. Cooper, R.G. 2023. Plants & Wild Species. The Netherlands: Lulu Press Ltd.). However, their identity remains unknown. Location: Highgate and Caldmore, Walsall, UK.
Their rapid reproduction and propensity to eat the vegetation of potted plants, can be a significant consideration to the serious indoor plant cultivator.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Grass-Snails (Genus Vallonia)Observer
rgcooper2023Description
Garden snails appearing in potted, windowsill plants: circular snails (Vallonia exentrica or V. pulchella); elongated snail probably (Cochlicopa lubrica).
Observations of elongated and concentric snails, in potted, windowsill plants (indoor ambience: 15°C & 73% RH) prompted their removal and examination initially with a Tor-Deluxe Triple Tested 600X (eyepiece lenses: 10X & 15X; stage objective lenses: 8X, 20X & 40X; magnifications: 80X & 120X, 200X & 300X, and 400X & 600X, respectively) five aperture portable optical microscope (25cm in height). The magnified image at 80X was considerable. Two varieties were observed: elongated, tapered shell (one of 5mm) and spiral, concentric shell (six of 2mm). Their shells were pale cream in colour which darkened after feeding. Their propensity to accumulate in clusters on soil clods, bits of bark, stems and the sides of pots, was evident. Soil mixes were created from local patches, used tea leaves, chopped banana skins, sand and garden mulch (ref. Cooper, R.G. 2023. Plants & Wild Species. The Netherlands: Lulu Press Ltd.). However, their identity remains unknown. Location: Highgate and Caldmore, Walsall, UK.
Comments
Add a Comment