Description: A 'semi-slug' with flattened, globular shell with a large body whorl and aperture and small, depressed spire. Fragile and transparent greenish with 3-4 whorls. Animal pale grey with darker head and tentacles but large in comparison with the shell and unable to completely retreat into it. Common. 4.5-6.0 mm.

World Distribution: Found across central and northern Europe to the High Arctic. Distribution type: Circumpolar Boreo-temperate (56).

Irish Distribution: Widespread and common.

Ecology:

• A winter species, adults ovipositing in winter and disappearing in the spring, with eggs hatching in early summer
• Very common in all kinds of shaded or wet places including coastal dune slacks but becoming more scattered in acidic terrain and towards the west

Key Identification Features:

• A medium-small semi-slug with more globular shell than Semilimax
• Body whorl large with a small, depressed spire
• Shell fragile and transparent greenish in colour
• Animal pale grey with darker head and tentacles and larger than the shell

Red list status:

• Laest consern (lc).

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

iNaturalist: Vitrina pellucida at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Vitrina pellucida | Classification: Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Vitrinidae, Vitrina

Thumbnails for genus Vitrina