Yellow Slug - Limacus flavus

Length extended: 8 or 9 cm. The body is usually a lemon yellow colour with darker markings. The tentacles are often blue. It has a central yellow line along the keel which extends from the tail to around half the body length, though may be broken into dashes.

Limacus maculatus, the Irish Yellow Slug, is very similar and may be replacing L. flavus in some areas. Its yellow background colour is often a duller shade and is overlaid with larger spots and blotches – making it appear darker and greener overall. Its tentacles are more blue-grey. It may have a short keel stripe at the tail end but this stops well before the halfway point of the body.

Often associated with man, it can be found in gardens and even cellars.

All year round.

Feeds mostly on fungi, decaying matter and vegetables.

Occasional in England and Wales.

Rare/uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland and declining as it is replaced by Limacus maculatus. It is believed that L. flavus and L. maculatus hybridise which is contributing to the loss of the former species.