A laboratory evaluation of the palatability of legumes to the field slug, Deroceras reticulatum Müller

Abstract

Slugs are major pests of many crops, including winter wheat, in temperate climates, yet current methods of control are often unreliable. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential for common legume species to act as an alternative source of food, or trap crop, for the most damaging agricultural pest species, the grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum Müller, thereby reducing damage to the wheat crop. A series of three controlled-environment experiments were designed to assess this aim. Individual slugs were fed leaves of one of ten legume species together with winter wheat leaves for a 72-h period. A clear hierarchy of acceptability was shown, with red clover, lucerne, lupin and white clover showing significantly higher Acceptability Indices than the other six species tested. Red clover produced the greatest reduction in mean wheat consumption (78%) from day 1 to day 3. When species were fed individually, red clover was consumed in significantly greater quantities than any of the other treatments: 40% more than white clover and 56% more than wheat. Furthermore, when fed with red clover the amount of wheat consumed was some 50% less than when the latter was fed alone. The results indicate that legumes vary greatly in their acceptability to D. reticulatum and it is essential that a legume with a high Acceptability Index is chosen, which results in the least amount of wheat consumed.

A laboratory‐based comparison of a molluscicide and an alternative food source (red clover) as means of reducing slug damage to winter wheat

“…Alternatively, legumes can be of benefit agriculturally, due to the potential for improving soil stability and providing greater levels of organic carbon, microbial activity and soil mineral nitrogen 26–28. In our previous study, ten agricultural legumes were screened to determine their palatability in relation to winter wheat 29. A large variation in the amounts of legumes consumed was reported, but red clover ( Trifolium pratense L) was found to be the most palatable legume species, with an Acceptability Index (AI) of 0.81.…”

The use of an alternative food source (red clover) as a means of reducing slug pest damage to winter wheat: towards field implementation

“…The experiment took place in a polytunnel situated on the Harper Adams University College Estate over a period from March to June 2001. On the basis of previous studies,24 red clover was chosen to undergo evaluation, and the levels of its competition with wheat were compared with a ‘no red clover’ control.…”

“…Alternatively, legumes can be of agricultural benefit owing to their potential for improving soil stability and providing greater levels of organic carbon, microbial activity and soil mineral nitrogen 21–23. In our initial study, ten agricultural legumes were screened to determine their palatability in relation to winter wheat 24. A large variation in the amounts of legume consumed was reported, but red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) was found to be the most palatable legume species, with an acceptability index (AI) of 0.81, significantly greater than that of the least palatable, hairy tare ( Vicia hirsuta Gray), at 0.419.…”

Some Life History Traits and Diet Selection inPhilomycus carolinianus(Mollusca: Gastropoda: Philomycidae)

“…An acceptability index was established for each potential food source by comparing consumption of each test mushrooms to a control (white mushroom). This technique is commonly used for assessing diets of slugs (e.g., Dirzo 1980; Rathcke 1985;Brooks et al 2003).…”

“…Based on successful rearing of terrestrial molluscs by other investigators (Brooks et al 2003;Faberi et al 2006;Keller & Snell 2002;Capinera 2012), several potential diets were selected for evaluation. Diets selected were 4 natural diets: (1) romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var.…”