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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jacqueline Mair, Dr Gordon Port
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Slugs are important pests in many agricultural crops and potential biological control agents are being studied as an alternative to molluscicides. Carabid beetles may be able to reduce slug populations, but the defence mucus of slugs may deter some predator attacks. Interactions between the carabids Pterostichus madidus (Fabricius) and Nebria brevicollis (Fabricius) with healthy and 'stressed' (unable to produce defence mucus) Deroceras reticulatum (Mùˆller) were investigated in laboratory conditions. Both beetle species consumed significantly more stressed slugs than controls. Defence mucus production by control slugs hampered beetle attacks. These generalist beetle species did not direct their attacks at vulnerable parts of the prey as equal numbers of contacts were made on the slug head, mantle and tail. Blowfly (Calliphora sp.) larvae are readily consumed by P. madidus and N. brevicollis. Calliphora larvae coated in slug defence mucus were less acceptable to both beetle species compared with control larvae. Results indicate that these generalist beetle species are unable to overcome the defence mucus production of healthy slugs. Slugs sub-lethally poisoned by molluscicides may be a more suitable prey item due to a reduction in defence mucus production.
Author(s): Mair J, Port GR
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Year: 2002
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
Pages: 325-335
ISSN (print): 0958-3157
ISSN (electronic): 1360-0478
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09583150220128112
DOI: 10.1080/09583150220128112
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