Snail & Slug
Gastropoda
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameSnail & Slug
DescriptionSnails and slugs are soft-bodied mollusks that leave slime trails and chew holes in leaves. Learn effective organic methods to protect your garden plants.
TypeMollusk
FamilyHelicidae
GenusHelix
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumMollusca
SubphylumConchifera
ClassGastropoda
OrderStylommatophora
Features
- Snails have external spiral shells for protection, while slugs are shell-less or have tiny internal shells. Both are gastropod mollusks, not insects
- Soft, slimy bodies with two pairs of tentacles on head (upper pair has eyes). Colors range from grey, brown, black, to yellow. Leave silvery slime trails
- Feed on leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and vegetables using rasping mouthparts. Burrow into tubers and bulbs. Most active at night and during rainy weather
- Create large irregular holes in leaves and flowers. Leave slime trails on plants and soil. Can completely consume seedlings overnight. Damage is worst in moist conditions
- Hermaphrodites that lay clusters of clear, pearl-like eggs in moist soil. Can lay hundreds of eggs. Multiple generations per year in mild climates
- Size ranges from 1 cm to 15 cm (0.5 to 6 inches) depending on species. Garden slugs typically 2-5 cm long
- Thrive in cool, moist, humid conditions. Most active at night, on cloudy days, and after rain. Hide under debris, mulch, and pots during day
- Attack hostas, lettuce, cabbage, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, beans, flowers, and most tender garden plants. Prefer succulent growth
- Prevent by removing hiding places (boards, debris), using copper barriers, reducing mulch near plants, watering in morning, and keeping garden clean. Create dry zones
- Natural predators include birds, frogs, toads, snakes, ground beetles, and firefly larvae. Use beer traps, diatomaceous earth, iron phosphate baits, or handpick at night
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificGastropoda
English (Alternate)Land Snails, Sea Slugs, Limpets, Periwinkles, Nudibranchs
Hindiಘೋಂಘಾ (ghongha), ಸ್ಲಗ್ (slug)
Tamilನತ್ತೈ (Naththai), ಇಲೈಯಟ್ಟೈ (Ilaiyattai)
Telugu ನತ್ತ (Natta), ನತ್ತಗುಲ್ಲ (Nattagulla)
Malayalamಒಚ್ (Och)
Kannadaಬಸವನ ಹುಳು (basavana huḷu), ಗುಂಡು (guṇḍu), ಗಟ್ಟಿ (gaṭṭi), ಚೂರು (cūru), ಗೋಡೆಹುಳು (gōḍehūḷu)
Sanskritಶಂಬೂಕ (śambūka), ನಖ (nakha), ಜಲಡಿಂಬಃ (jālaḍimbaḥ), ಮಂಥರ (manthara), ಶಂಬೂಕಹೀನಃ ಕೃಮಿವಿಶೇಷಃ (śambūkahīnaḥ kṛmiviśeṣaḥ)
Bengaliಶಮುಕ್ (Shamuk), ಸ್ಲಾಗ್ (Slag)
Frenchescargot, limace
Russianಉಲಿಟ್ಕಾ (ool-EE-tka), ಸ್ಲಿಜ್ನ್ಯಾಕ್ (slez-NYAK)
Spanishel caracol, la babosa
Germandie Schnecke, die Schnecken
