Shell and operculum formation by immature roman snails Helix pomatia L. when treated with pp′-DDT

Abstract

Roman snails ( Helix pomatia) have been treated with pp′-DDT from 2 wk of age until hibernation. Taking snail size into account, relatively low doses of DDT significantly reduced shell and operculum weight whereas higher doses of DDT did not cause this response. After reemergence from hibernation, the incidence of operculum eating was significantly higher among snails hibernating late in the season, and as exposure to DDT increased so operculum eating became more prevalent. Shell thinning in snails due to pesticide is likely to have occurred in some heavily treated agricultural localities if the response of other species to DDT is similar to that of Helix pomatia.