Pittieria aurantiaca
Pittieria aurantiaca is a species of predatory air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Spiraxidae. This species was described based on only one specimen. This specimen was collected by William More Gabb (1839-1878) in Costa Rica, and the species was described under the name Euglandina aurantiaca by George French Angas in 1879, after Gabb's death. The species was subsequently moved to the genus Pittieria, which was created by Eduard von Martens in 1901. This snail is carnivorous but it also eats honeydew while that substance is being produced by a species of lantern bug. A species of carpenter ant has been observed climbing onto the head of the snail in order to steal some of the honeydew while the snail is feeding in this way. Distribution The type locality of Pittieria aurantiaca was described as "from the hilly country", in Costa Rica. It is now known to occur in the following countries and areas: Costa Rica: North-eastern Costa Rica: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, San Miguel Eastern Costa Rica: Turrialba, Tuis, 500-650 m.a.s.l., Santa Clara, 200–500 m.a.s.l., Cordillera de Talamanca South-western Costa Rica: Valley of Baca, Terraba Panama: Bocas del Toro Description The shell of Pittieria aurantiaca