The Tea Drillia, Cerodrillia thea (Dall, 1884), is another local, small gastropod that may, due to its size, be missed by most casual shell seekers. Its shell reaches 0.5 inch in length, and is elongate and attractive. The shell sculpture consists of 7–9 slightly curved, axial (parallel to the main shell axis) ribs. The shell is light-brown (“tea-colored”), with a very thin grayish-green periostracum (outer, preteinaceous shell layer) present mostly between the axial ribs. The species belongs in the family Drillidae, a very diverse group of marine gastropods.
The Tea Drillia, Cerodrillia thea, from Sanibel Island. Photo by José H. Leal.