Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
 
Photos from the gathering
 
Photos from the 2007 gathering in Minnesota

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#140724
Slug Ball - Chocolate Arion or European Red Slug

Slug Ball - Chocolate Arion or European Red Slug
Bonney Lake, Pierce County, Washington, USA
June 25, 2007
I'd never seen a giant slug ball before. I'm not sure why they do this. Perhaps when it's too cold or too hot?

Arion rufus
Chocolate Arion or European Red Slug. One of my daughter's favorites.

 
Thanks Kevin,
It's nice to put a name to it.

European species.
First, this is one of those invasive European species. Second, I think they just do this in defense, don't they? It might conserve water, too, reducing their surface area for evaporation or something....

 
Defense possible,
If I remember correctly they were balled up like this when we found them, making me think they have other motives for balling up.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.