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marsh slug
marsh slug (Deroceras leave)
Illinois Status: nonnative
Photo © Marla Coppolino
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
The marsh slug is about 1 to 1.5 inches long, has a mottled, brown body, and a small, shield-like skin (mantle) on its back. When viewed from above, the foot has grooves and the back end is keeled, coming to a point. Mörch, a German naturalist named this species under the genus, Agriolimax. However, it had already been described by Rafinseque in 1820 as Democeras, so Democeras it remains. This species can only be differentiated from other two in its genus by examining genitalia structure or through molecular analyses. THESE SLUGS CARRY MANY PARASITES SO DON’T PICK IT UP WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!
BEHAVIORS
The marsh snail was introduced to the United States from Europe and is widespread and very common. It can be found in all habitats, fields, forests, and cities, under bark, tree limbs, and leaf litter. The marsh snail is solitary and hunts for food at night. The marsh slug is omnivorous and its preference for tender plants shoots like lettuce make it a common garden pest. It also feeds on dead plants, feces, and living animals like worms and aphids. Marsh slugs reproduce by self-fertilization and have multiple generations in a year.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Agriolimacidae
Habitats
all habitats, fields, forests, and cities, under bark, tree limbs, and leaf litter
