A persistent population of the chocolate-band snail Eobania vermiculata (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in Belgium

Eobania vermiculata (O.F. Müller, 1774) is a large land snail species, with a maximum shell width of 33 mm. The species occurs in a variety of habitats, usually in dry vegetation, in hedgerows, gardens, vineyards and agricultural fields, often in coastal areas. Reproduction takes place in autumn. About 60 to 80 eggs are laid in the soil. The snails reach maturity two years after hatching. Adult snails hibernate in a hole in the soil and develop an epiphragma. Juveniles usually hibernate under stones or leaves [1,2]. Eobania vermiculata is a circum-Mediterranean species. Its native range extends from Spain to Turkey in Europe and along the North-African coast at least from Morocco to Libya, although it is absent as a native species in the SE of the Mediterranean region. The species has been introduced into several European countries, including Germany, Hungary, and The Netherlands. Introduced populations also occur in the USA, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iran [1-9].