#pneumostome

My A.candefacta decided to burst from the enclosure and I was curious as to why, after removing uneaten food I discovered why, the enclosure was stricken with an infestation of what I think are Riccardoella limacum or snail mites. These mites feed of gastropod blood and are thought to also bore into the snail to feed, they can be brought in on food. No wonder he felt the need to escape! But I already have a colony of hypoastis mile mites which will predate the snail mites and are currently the most effective method of controlling the parasitic mites. Washing the enclosure out also helps, however the mites will enter the pnemostome (hole in the side of a snails "head" or mantle through which they breathe) and so predatory mites will also enter here after the snail mites.

Arion rufus ¼ adult (probably) feeding on flower

No, it’s not a MMA slugging match but a wet day in Scarborough! Slugs (and snails) love a damp summer day, with a shower or two to keep the vegetation moist so they can glide around the garden!

Common Garden Slug (Arion distinctus) side view showing mantle, and stripy skirt running along the bottom of the foot

Here (below) are a group of slugs…