Cystopelta sp. (genus)

1 Unidentified Cystopelta Slug at Acton, ACT

Cystopelta sp. (genus) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2021
Cystopelta sp. (genus) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2021
Cystopelta sp. (genus) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2021
Cystopelta sp. (genus) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2021
Cystopelta sp. (genus) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2021
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Identification history

Cystopelta sp. (genus) 28 Nov 2021 Michael123
Cystopelta sp. (genus) 28 Nov 2021 TimL

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User's notes

The sequence of images shows part of the mating ritual of two Cystopelta species slugs. I understand this sighting is showing the following. Slugs are hermaphrodites, with both male and female reproductive organs. When a slug is in heat, amongst other things it releases a chemical in its slime which attracts other slugs. When slugs locate a potential mate, they will circle around each other in ever tightening circles. They circle in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, ensuring their right sides face each other as this is the side from which their genitalia appear from beneath their mantles. They stroke each other over a prolonged period and eventually exchange sperm. (See similar sighting 4397750). Thanks to Marcus Leach for the initial sighting on a tree in ANBG’s Rainforest Gully, during recent rain.

6 comments

Michael123 wrote:
   28 Nov 2021
This species may be Cystopelta septentrionalis from the north east coast of NSW that has been accidentally introduced in plant material to the gardens
Michael123 wrote:
   28 Nov 2021
the pink object inside the base of the penis might be the spermatophore
Michael123 wrote:
   28 Nov 2021
TimL These are very important images. This is the first time Cystopelta has been photographed copulating. I know several people who would be interested to see this. Would you be able to send me these images via email in a format that could be digitally saved ie as jpegs or Tiff images. Also would like to post them on Facebook credited to you. My email address is -
michael.shea@austmus.gov.au
Thanks in advance
Michael
TimL wrote:
   28 Nov 2021
Sure, @Michael123 will email higher definition versions to you. There are more in the sequence, which are available if required. Tim
TimL wrote:
   28 Nov 2021
Hi @Michael123 the images have been emailed to your address. Tim
Michael123 wrote:
   29 Nov 2021
Thanks Tim, much appreciated

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Nearby sightings

Page 5 of 5 - image sightings only

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Exoneura sp. (genus) (A reed bee) at Acton, ACT - 9 Nov 2018 by PeterA
Lasioglossum (Callalictus) callomelittinum (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 9 Nov 2018 by PeterA
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Acton, ACT - 29 Oct 2018 by RodDeb
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Acton, ACT - 30 Sep 2018 by AaronClausen
Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Acton, ACT - 27 Sep 2018 by Alison Milton
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 7 Sep 2018 by WalterEgo
Petroica rodinogaster (Pink Robin) at Acton, ACT - 14 Aug 2018 by Alison Milton
Zoothera lunulata (Bassian Thrush) at Acton, ACT - 31 Jul 2018 by Christine
zz agaric (stem; gills white/cream) at Acton, ACT - 28 Jun 2018 by Alison Milton
Zoothera lunulata (Bassian Thrush) at Acton, ACT - 19 Jun 2018 by JohnBundock
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (New Holland Honeyeater) at Acton, ACT - 30 May 2018 by RodDeb
Trametes sp. at Acton, ACT - 30 May 2018 by RodDeb
Armillaria luteobubalina (Australian Honey Fungus) at Acton, ACT - 30 May 2018 by RodDeb
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 22 May 2018 by Alison Milton
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Achyra affinitalis (Cotton Web Spinner) at Acton, ACT - 12 Apr 2018 by RodDeb
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Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 19 Mar 2018 by jbromilow50
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Amegilla sp. (genus) (Blue Banded Bee) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 28 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Acton, ACT - 28 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 23 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
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Sericornis frontalis (White-browed Scrubwren) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (New Holland Honeyeater) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Simosyrphus grandicornis (Common hover fly) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Dacelo novaeguineae (Laughing Kookaburra) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Austroscolia soror (Blue Flower Wasp) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Austalis copiosa (Hover fly) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Zaspilothynnus sp. (genus) (A smooth flower wasp) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Phalaenoides tristifica (Willow-herb Day-moth) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
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Heteropelma scaposum (Two-toned caterpillar parasite wasp) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
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Graphium choredon (Blue Triangle) at Acton, ACT - 29 Jan 2018 by ChristianFricker
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Caedicia simplex (Common Garden Katydid) at Acton, ACT - 17 Dec 2017 by JudithRoach
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Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Acton, ACT - 11 Oct 2017 by MatthewFrawley
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 29 Sep 2017 by Alison Milton
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Acton, ACT - 23 Sep 2017 by Alison Milton
Zosterops lateralis (Silvereye) at Acton, ACT - 27 Aug 2017 by Alison Milton
Acanthiza pusilla (Brown Thornbill) at Acton, ACT - 27 Aug 2017 by Alison Milton
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Gastrimargus musicus (Yellow-winged Locust or Grasshopper) at Acton, ACT - 21 Jan 2017 by AlisonMilton
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Eichleriella cf. leucophaea at Acton, ACT - 21 Aug 2016 by Heino
Scutiphora pedicellata (Metallic Jewel Bug) at Acton, ACT - 27 Dec 2015 by Ratcliffe
Commius elegans (Cherry Ballart Shield Bug) at Acton, ACT - 13 Dec 2015 by ibaird
Jalmenus evagoras (Imperial Hairstreak) at Acton, ACT - 12 Dec 2015 by ibaird
Ganoderma at Acton, ACT - 26 Jun 2015 by Alison Milton
Rhipidura rufifrons (Rufous Fantail) at Acton, ACT - 26 Mar 2015 by JohnBundock
Macropus giganteus (Eastern Grey Kangaroo) at Acton, ACT - 27 Apr 2010 by Christine

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 2 Abundance
  • 26 Nov 2021 11:33 AM Recorded on
  • TimL Recorded by

Species information

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  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
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