Arion (Arion) rufus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Primary tabs

Arion (Arion) rufus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Behaviour:

Rocks from side to side like A. ater when a potential enemy perturbs it (Quick 1960).

Thu, 2014-09-18 21:05 -- mpaustia
Arion (Arion) rufus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Conservation status:

Increasingly rare, disappeared nearly completely from culticated areas. Originally widespread and frequent, but has been replaced by Arion lusitanicus in many regions.

Decreasing in Bavaria, vulnerable in Austria.

Size:

Up to 150 mm long, exceptionally 180 mm.

Distribution:

Central and W Europe, N Italy.

Habitat:

Natural humid forests and humid meadows, margins of water bodies, swamps, also in cultivated areas until the 1970s when it was replaced by Arion vulgaris/lusitanicus. In Britain mainly in lowlands and man-made habitats in southern Britain and Ireland. .

Life cycle:

Life cycle 1 year. Reproduction in summer by copulation, occasionally also by self-fertilization, up to 500 eggs in several clutches are laid in autumn, juveniles hatch after 1 month and reach maturity in the next summer after 9-10 months.

Trophic strategy:

Feeds on green and rotting plants, mushrooms, faeces and dead animals.

Thu, 2014-09-18 21:05 -- F. Welter Schultes