Giant Slug
Common Name: Giant Slug
Scientific Name: Limax maximus
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Other Taxonomy: Superfamily: Limacoidea Family: Limacidae Subfamily: Limacinae Genus: Limax
Specimen #:62
Circumstance: Observed in lab
Specimen Condition: Specimen was dead
Location: Alfred bio lab
Typical Habitat: Although native to Europe, this species has been accidentally introduced to many other parts of the world.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Although native to Europe, this species has been accidentally introduced to many other parts of the world. This slug species has been introduced to North America. It occurs along the East and the West Coasts of that continent.Its introduction into the United States was first announced by George Washington Tryon in 1867, when it was discovered in cellars in Philadelphia. Within a few years its presence was noticed at Newport, Rhode Island, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, etc., and it has now become rather numerous in some localities.
Relationship with humans: no known relationship with humans
Feeding Mechanism: Limax maximus is omnivorous. It is of benefit as a detrivore for it cleans up dead plants and fungi, and as a carnivore for it hunts down other slugs with its top speed of 6 in/min. However, it also eats young crops faster than they can grow and so is listed as a major agricultural pest by State Departments of Agriculture from Florida to Oregon
Sources:
Scientific Name: Limax maximus
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Other Taxonomy: Superfamily: Limacoidea Family: Limacidae Subfamily: Limacinae Genus: Limax
Specimen #:62
Circumstance: Observed in lab
Specimen Condition: Specimen was dead
Location: Alfred bio lab
Typical Habitat: Although native to Europe, this species has been accidentally introduced to many other parts of the world.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Although native to Europe, this species has been accidentally introduced to many other parts of the world. This slug species has been introduced to North America. It occurs along the East and the West Coasts of that continent.Its introduction into the United States was first announced by George Washington Tryon in 1867, when it was discovered in cellars in Philadelphia. Within a few years its presence was noticed at Newport, Rhode Island, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, etc., and it has now become rather numerous in some localities.
Relationship with humans: no known relationship with humans
Feeding Mechanism: Limax maximus is omnivorous. It is of benefit as a detrivore for it cleans up dead plants and fungi, and as a carnivore for it hunts down other slugs with its top speed of 6 in/min. However, it also eats young crops faster than they can grow and so is listed as a major agricultural pest by State Departments of Agriculture from Florida to Oregon
Sources: