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Virginia Land Snails

Lucilla scintilla (R.T. Lowe, 1852)

Family: Common name: Oldfield Coil

Identification Width: 2-2.5 mm Height: 1.25 mm Whorls: 4+

The rounded whorls of the shell of scintilla gradually increase in size as they grow outward. The final whorl descends slightly towards the aperture, which has a slightly reflected, though narrow, lip. It is marked by vein-like lines that are usually darker in color than the rest of the translucent shell. The suture is well-impressed, and some growth lines can be seen on the final whorl. This shell lacks spiral lirae.

In eastern Europe where this species and its relative L. singleyana are introduced, they are distinguished by shell color, size, and shape (Horsák et al, 2009). The shell of is yellowish, smaller, and flatter than L. singleyana. Both Lucilla species have a smooth and glossy shell surface, while Hawaiia species exhibit a crosshatch of fine striae.

Ecology This prefers open, grassy areas. It is most frequently encountered in fields, meadows, and along roads and railroads. On occasion it may also be found in caves (Hubricht, 1985). In Europe, it and L. singleyana are reported to live in small holes and cracks up to a meter deep in the soil (Kerney, 1999).

Taxonomy Lucilla scintilla has also been known as Helicodiscus inermis, H. intermedius, and H. singleyanus inermis. Photo(s): Shell of Lucilla scintilla, by Jeff Nekola ©. Distribution Lucilla scintilla has been reported from the Middle Atlantic, Southeastern, and Midwestern United States. In Click photo(s) to enlarge. Virginia, it is listed as a vulnerable species.

NatureServe Global Rank: G4 NatureServe State Rank: S2S4

Meegan Winslow, Ken Hotopp 11/2012

Range Map