Dale Snyder here.

I am working with an old collection that was given to Arizona State University back in the '60's. So far I've just been taking inventory of the land snail portion of the collection, and have found a number of shells (sans periostracum) that have a white powder on them. I've never encountered this with my own shells and don't know what it is. Could it be a fungus or Byne's disease mentioned below?

The affected shells have been stored in open contact with a lot of other shells all these years and the powder doesn't appear to have spread to even nearby shells in the same drawer. However, not all the affected shells are in the same drawer, or even same cabinet.

Is it safe to assume the mild bleach solution would be the right treatment?  If so, how much household bleach should I use in a quart of water?
I also plan to oil these shells afterward. I generally use mineral oil, and never heard of using WD 40. Does it leave the shells sticky over a period of time?



---- Brian Hayes <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

=============
Hi Tom,
please email me privately.
regards
BRian

On Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 12:20 PM, Thomas Eichhorst <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Aydin,
>
> I might add to this to test the bleach solution first on just a couple of
> shells to make sure it doesn't harm the periostracum and then after drying
> the shells you might want to rub some mineral oil or silicone lubricant on
> them to help maintain the perio.  I have also used WD-40 - a test I have
> been running since the 1990s).  So far it seems to work well with no
> discoloration.
>
> Tom E.
>
> ------------------------------**--------------------
> From: "Charles Sturm" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 6:54 AM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject:      Re: [CONCH-L] Fungus on shells
>
>  Aydin,
>>
>> The technique that I have used is to put on a surgical mask, brush off
>> most of the fungus, wash the shells in a weak bleach solution, then dry
>> them out and keep them dry. I had a similar problem and now run a
>> dehumidifyer where I store my collection. An alternative would be to store
>> them in a plastic box with a desiccating agent.
>>
>>
>>  Most of the shells in a large lot of Neohelix albolabris have developed
>>> patches of a fungus growing on the periostracum (no, it's not Byne's
>>> disease).
>>> They have been stored in a humid basement. What would be the best way to
>>> clean
>>> the shells?
>>>
>>> Aydin Orstan
>>>
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>>
>> Regards,
>> Charlie
>> ..............................**...................
>> Charlie Sturm
>>
>> Treasurer
>> American Malacological Society
>>
>> Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
>> Carnegie Museum of Natural History
>> Pittsburgh, PA, USA
>>
>> Associate Professor - Family Medicine
>> Fellow-American Academy of Family Practice
>> Fellow-Academy of Wilderness Medicine
>>
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