Description: The shell of this bivalve is thin but robust, with a slightly inflated appearance and an oblong outline. It reaches up to around 2 cm in length. Dirty white to yellow in colour with a dark or light brown periostracum, which may overhang like a fringe at the edge of the shell. There are fine radiating ribs and concentric lines which make a netted pattern towards the centre of the shell where they cross, this is not seen towards the edge of the shell as here the ribs are more prominent and obscure the pattern. Hinge plate with 40-50 teeth forming a straight line with a few towards the edges starting to curve. Interior of the shell is white.

Habitat: Found attached to the underside of stones from the intertidal down to 100 m +.

Distribution: Most records are from southern England with some scattered records around the rest of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species found here.

Key Identification Features:

• Oblong outline with slightly inflated apperance.
• Periostracum may form an overhanging fringe.
• Netted pattern towards centre of shell changing to prominent ridges on outer sections.
• 40-50 teeth on hinge plate.

Distribution Map from NBN: Striarca lactea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Striarca lactea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Striarca lactea

WoRMS: Striarca lactea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Striarca lactea (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 140571.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Pteriomorphia; Arcida; Arcoidea; Noetiidae; Striarca