Heath Snail - Helicella itala

9-25mm diameter with a low spire. Generally pale but usually with dark spiral bands. It has a large umbilicus that is free from the mouth lip.

Cernuella virgata is found in similar habitats and also has dark spiral bands - but this species is much more globular and the mouth lip partly obscures the umbilicus.

• medium size (9-25mm) diameter
• flat with only a shallow spire
• a deep umbilicus not touched by the mouth lip
• calcareous habitat (short, dry grassland)

A photo is needed of both the upper shell and also the underside showing the umbilicus.

Prefers short, dry calcareous grassland. In coastal areas it is also found on dunes.

All year

Widespread but increasingly uncommon inland.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.