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Cornu aspersum was formerly known as Helix aspersa Müller, 1774 [p. 59], which species is based on a figure from the nonbinominal work of d'Argenville (1742 or 1757); the type locality is Italy. The figure on the left is likely the same figure from the third, more extensive, so-called Favanne edition of d'Argenville [1780; vol. 3 Atlas; planche LXIII, fig. D3]. |
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Although not apparent to the
author, Cornu copiae Born, 1778, type locality unknown, is
based on an aberrant (solute) form of Helix aspersa Müller,
1774. The figure on the left is a reprint of the type figure of
Cornu copiae which appeared in Born [1780: pp. 361 (with
vignette), 362]. It is the type of the genus Cornu Born,
1778 by the Principle of Original Monotypy.
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Pictured left are two specimens of Cornu aspersum collected from a garden in Lemon Grove, California (a San Diego suburb) on April 21, 2005 along with an oversize 160 mm. lemon from the same location. |
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[click on the above image for a more detailed view] |
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Pictured left are a selection of Cornu aspersum from a residential lawn in Spring Valley, southern San Diego County, California. Since its introduction into California in the 1850's as a source of escargot, it has proven itself well adapted to the area and has become troublesome as a pest of crops and ornamentals. The species has been eradicated from at least two locations here in Florida since 1963 by the Division of Plant Industry. The infestations are believed to be introduced on shipments of container-grown plants from California. |
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[click on the above image for a more detailed view] |
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