The shell of Hygromia cinctella can be up to 12 millimetres in diameter. It is variable in colouration, as is the animal. The colour spectrum ranges from brown to grey or yellow. The girdled snail can be easily recognised by the white to beige rim of the shell, which is missing in other snails of… Continue reading Girdled snail
Asian apple snail
Pila virescens is often sold in Europe under its old but invalid zoological name, as “Pila polita” and commonly called Asian apple snail here. It is said to be native to Indonesia (source), Vietnam (source) and other Southeast Asian countries (source). The shell of this apple snail can be yellow to brown in colour and… Continue reading Asian apple snail
Common earwig, European earwig
It may not seem obvious, but the earwig can fly. However, it seems to use this ability only rarely. Forficula auricularia is also known as the European earwig. It can grow from 10 to 17 millimeters long. Although native to Europe, Forficula auricularia is found almost all over the world. The common earwig lives in… Continue reading Common earwig, European earwig
Red-and-black Froghopper
The Red-and-black Froghopper or Black-and-red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata) is native to most European countries. It is easily recognised by its black and red warning colour. Adult froghoppers grow to a little more than one centimetre in length and can be seen from April to September. They live in meadows, pastures, banks, forest edges, parks and… Continue reading Red-and-black Froghopper
Bryony Ladybird
Where the White Bryony grows, you can also find the Bryony Ladybird (Henosepilachna argus). It lives on the poisonous climbing plants and feeds on their leaves. It is also said to colonise other cucurbits, but I have never seen it in the garden on zucchini or cucumber plants. The Bryony Ladybird likes it warm and… Continue reading Bryony Ladybird
Byturus ochraceus
Byturus ochraceus lays its eggs on Geum urbanum (Wood Avens, Herb Bennet). The larvae feed on this member of the rose family (Rosaceae). For this reason, it is known here in Germany as the Wood Avens Beetle (Nelkenwurzkäfer). The adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar and are often found in the flowers of buttercups… Continue reading Byturus ochraceus
Common Earthworm
The Common Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) can grow to over 30 centimetres long and live for up to 8 years. It is native to Europe, but with human help it has spread to many other regions where it has become established. It is considered an invasive species in some parts of North America (source). Lumbricus terrestris… Continue reading Common Earthworm
Melanopsis magnifica
Melanopsis magnifica is a dioecious freshwater snail from the family Melanopsidae. It feeds on algae, originates from Morocco, and its shell can grow up to three centimeters long. Melanopsis magnifica does not have an English vernacular name. The species in the family Melanopsidae are commonly referred to as “Schwarzdeckelschnecken” in German, which translates to “black-lid… Continue reading Melanopsis magnifica
European Rabbit
The European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is not only the wild form of the domestic rabbit, it is also commonly found in urban areas. For example, in parks and gardens. Since it digs deep burrows with long tunnels, it is not loved everywhere. Moreover, it can multiply en masse, especially if it is fed. But nature… Continue reading European Rabbit
Miniature Awlsnail
The Miniature Awlsnail or Thumbnail Awlsnail is in Germany called Brasilian Trumpet Snail. It belongs to the Achatinidae family, but does not get as big as its African relatives, for example the Giant African Snail (Achatina achatina). Its shell reaches a maximum length of two centimeters, and it can live up to 4 years. Subulina… Continue reading Miniature Awlsnail