58 . 
S.A. NAT., VOL. XVI. 
March 24. 1937. 
RECORDS OF SNAILS AND SLUGS INTRODUCED 
TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
By Bernard C. Cotton. 
Four species of European snails were recorded from South 
Australia by the late Sir Joseph Verco (Rec. S. Aust. Mus., Vol. 
II. No. 2, 1922, and No. 4, 1924) and since then nothing further 
has been published concerning introduced land species. The 
following notes show the present distribution of the four already 
recorded, and add two further species. Some of the species are 
already a pest here and in other parts of the world, while one, 
Testacella halitoidea, can be called at least harmless, if not 
beneficial. The purpose of this short account is to enable those 
interested to identify the species and record their spread. 
Testacella haliotidea Draparnaud. 
This carnivorous slug is a comparatively recent introduction, 
being first found in August, 1931, and taken at the Botanical 
Gardens, Adelaide. A brief note concerning the discovery was 
printed in the “News” on August 5th, 1931. 
It is a native of South-west England. Voracious and gre- 
garious, the carnivorous slug spends the larger part of the vear 
burrowing in the ground in search of earth worms, and also 
attacks other snails and slugs. According to observation in my 
garden, it is most in evidence during September and August. 
The local specimens are a dull cream colour and some attain 
to at least three and a half inches, and may be readily distinguish- 
ed by the tapered anterior and wider posterior where the oblong, 
convex shell, covered with a brown periostracum, is situated. 
Helicella caper at a Montague. 
(Plate 1, fig. 5, 6). 
While sorting through unidentified shells in the- Museum, a 
box of small land shells taken at Robe was discovered. With 
them was the following label: “Snails which cover the walls of 
the house in great numbers during the day. Taken by A. Tresize, 
Robe School, June 6th, 1912.” 
