Genus: Vespericola
Common name: Hesperian snails
Family: Polygyridae
Vespericola columbianus, the Northwest hesperian
Origin: Pacific Northwest
Diet: Plants, lichens, and algae.
Behavior: Most common around wet areas, wetlands, rivers, etc.
Where in Oregon: Widespread.
Similar exotics to look for: There are a number of hairy shelled snails around the world that would be challenging to distinguish from Oregon natives. Cryptomastix germana is a similar native species. There are five species of Vespericola native to Oregon. Outside of southwestern Oregon V. columbianus, the Northwest hesperian, is the most common.
Diet: Plants, lichens, and algae.
Behavior: Most common around wet areas, wetlands, rivers, etc.
Where in Oregon: Widespread.
Similar exotics to look for: There are a number of hairy shelled snails around the world that would be challenging to distinguish from Oregon natives. Cryptomastix germana is a similar native species. There are five species of Vespericola native to Oregon. Outside of southwestern Oregon V. columbianus, the Northwest hesperian, is the most common.
Vespericola columbianus
