Iconic marks of the Red-Triangle Slug on a Sydney Blue Gum

05th May 2016

RED TRIANGLE SLUG MARKS ON A SYDNEY BLUE GUM TREE IN CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE, HIGHFIELDS.

It was only in the last year that I learnt that these iconic marks, often seen on Sydney Blue Gum Trees on the Darling Downs, were from the Red-Triangle Slug.  Thanks to Robert Ashdown, I now can recognize these marks easily, and am noticing them all over the Toowoomba Region. 

Today, I was thrilled to see a large Sydney Blue Gum Tree with the Red-triangle Slug marks on it in the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve.  It was pleasing to know that these iconic looking invertebrates are living within our treasured suburban bushland reserve.  I look forward to going back on a damp night to have a better look for the slugs themselves.

The Red-Triangle Slug (Triboniophorus graeffei) is in the mollusc family and is Australia's largest native land slug. The distinctive red triangle on its back contains the breathing pore. The Red Triangle Slug is usually found grazing on microscopic algae growing on the surface of smooth-barked eucalypt trees, leaving behind scalloped tracks as it goes. (Information source: Australian Museum)

For further information about the Red Triangle Slug's of the Toowoomba Region, I suggest viewing Rob Ashdown's Blog here.

J.Gray

Red Triangle Slug marks on a Sydney Blue Gum at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields. 05/05/16