Loches is the name of our nearest town of any size (population 7000). Although the etymology of the town name is the same as the Gallic 'loch' or 'lough', in French the word unfortunately can also mean 'slug' (and various somewhat rude body parts if you are being vulgar...). But I take the view that Loches can be proud of its slugs. It's got some doozies, presented here in descending size order. All are over 10 cm.
Ash Black Slug Limax cinereoniger (Fr. Grande Limace). They live in the forests and can be all black like this one...
...or stripey like this one.
Leopard Slug Limax maximus (Fr. Limace léopard). They live outdoors in urban areas.
Red Slug Arion rufus (Fr. Grande loche). They live in the forests.
They are our most abundant large slug.
Spanish Slug Arion vulgaris (Fr. loche méridionale), a species that varies a lot in colour, from dark brown to bright orange. Its English name is a result of confusion over the origin and identity of this species. Genetic studies show that the 'Spanish' Slug is very rare in Spain, but is native to north-west Europe (primarily France, Germany, Benelux).
Spanish Slug.
Dusky Slugs Arion subfuscus (Fr. loche roussâtre), a fairly abundant species throughout France. This photo shows how the juveniles are more strongly marked. Apparently the slime this species produces was the inspiration a few years ago for a new biomedical glue that adheres to both wet and dry surfaces.
Dusky Slug.
Cellar Slug Limacus flavus (Fr. Limace des caves). They live indoors in urban environments.
Unlike other slugs they are gregarious, so where you have one you are likely to have a whole family of them.
None of these slugs will be found in your veggie garden eating your seedlings. All of them are detritovores, eating decaying plants, fungi and the occasional bit of dead animal.
No comments:
Post a Comment