Page 147 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

BROWN GARDEN SNAIL BROWN GARDEN SNAIL
damage to orange tree leaves

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- none 6.Thorax- none SNAIL
2.Eyes- antenna-like eye stalks 7.Petiole- none 10
3.Head 8.Abdomen- long slimy body 2
4.Legs- none 9.Color- gray to dark brown
5.Wings- none 10.Other- brown shell
Life Cycle
Snails have both sex organs and are hermaphrodites. They mate with another
snail, then both lay eggs. Eggs (fewer than 200) are laid in small cavities in the
soil hollowed out by the parent. They hatch in less than three weeks. Newly
hatched snails stay close to their birthplace for several days feeding on the sur- 8
rounding vegetation. It takes one to three years to reach maturity.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
SNAIL Actual size 2”

Snails were brought to the U.S. from Europe in the 1850’s, with the idea that they would be a food, like
they are over there. Instead, they became a prolific and very destructive pest. Snails are mollusks and
are related to sea creatures. They need moisture to survive and, if their environment suddenly won’t
support them any longer, they are able to go dormant for periods of two to four years. They do this by
discharging mucus around the entrance to their shell to seal it shut. When they sense the environment
has become favorable they come out and proceed with their life cycle. They can be very destructive to
garden plants and citrus trees, especially the Giant African Snail.

Snails are also the favorite food of roof rats. When snails start disappearing and you find hollow or
crushed snail shells around, you can almost take it for granted that a small animal is eating the snails
(most probably a rat).

1.Antenna- none 6.Thorax- none
2.Eyes- antenna-like eye stalks 7.Petiole- none SLUG 2
3.Head 8.Abdomen- long slimy body
4.Legs- none 9.Color- gray to dark brown 8
5.Wings- none 10.Other- damages plants
Life Cycle
Slugs have both sex organs and are hermaphrodites. They mate with another
slug, then both lay eggs. Eggs (about 25 or more) are laid in small cavities
underneath just about anything-- trash cans, stepping stones, boards, etc. They
hatch in about one month. Newly hatched slugs stay close to their birthplace for
several days feeding on the surrounding vegetation. It takes three months to a
year to reach maturity, and slugs rarely live much longer than one year. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
SLUG Actual size 1 3/4”

Most slugs are light brown or gray in color, and reach lengths of up to 2 inches. Like the snail, the slug
was introduced here from Europe and has also become a major pest. They can be very destructive, and
will feed on a wide variety of plants. They like moist areas, and generally come out at night to feed. The
Banana Slug can be quite large and colorful.

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