Athoracophorus papillatus
Mollusc or tasty snack? 🥒 It’s the gherkin slug! 🥒
These guys are a member of the leaf vein slugs (Athoracophoridae). Like all leaf vein slugs, gherkin slugs are masters of disguise. The te reo name for this family, putoko ropiropi, refers to the distinctive leafy stripes found on many species of these slugs.
Our native leaf vein slugs are poorly studied, with likely several species yet to be described. However, they are thought to feed on algae and fungi – not your veges like those pesky introduced garden slugs!
Check these links for more info on the Gherkin Slug in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on Athoracophoridae
Te Ara: Flax snails, giant snails, and veined slugs
For Media Enquiries
For media enquiries, you can contact Bug of the Year Committee or the Champion running the campaign for the Gherkin Slug: Janelle Evans.
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Click on the image to visit the official observation.
