451 



THE GREY FIELD SLUG. 



(Afjriolnndx (igreHtii^, Tiiim.) 



HER*%r W. Miles, 



The Grey Field Slug is comnioji in Europe, aud is a well- 

 known pest of gardens and cultivated land in the British 

 Isles, where it was first recorded in the 17th century. Its 

 habits are such that world-wide distribution has been effected, 

 and it is established in most countries, having gained 

 jidniittance with agricultural produce and with bales and 

 packages in whicli shelter in damp straw, moss or sacking was 

 obtainable. 



Feeding Habits. — Slugs feed chiefly in the evenings, during 

 the night, and iu the early morning. They commence at 

 about 9.30 p.m. (G.^NF.T.), and on misty mornings will feed 

 as late as 9 a.m. They feed omnivorously on growing plants, 

 decaying vegetation and organic matter, and at times on aphids, 

 small earthworms and weakly soil grubs. Feeding takes place 

 both in the soil and on the surface, and at times on the 

 vegetation above the soil. Messrs. Tjovett and Black,* of the 

 Agricultural College, Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A., sum up the 

 feeding activities of slugs as follows: — 



" Tlie attack is most fre(iiient on i)Iants. It is (lni in^>- the early growth 

 that serious injury occurs. Vouui;- {)lants just pusliing through the 

 ground are consumed entirely : tlie foliage of plants in cold-frames and 

 of newly traiisj)lanted cahbage, lettuce and tomatoes is devoured or great 

 ragged holes eaten through it. They destroy sprouting corn or tunnel 

 into the base of the older corn, killing or devitalizing it. Field peas, 

 young clover, hops and similar crops adjacent to uncleared areas are often 

 wiped out entirely for a distance of several yards from the border of the 

 field. They eat the leaves, buds, blossoms and fruit of strawberries ; 

 injure the blossoms of inany oriuimentals ; disgust one constantly by their 

 repulsive presence ; and everywhere leave behind their disagreeable trail 

 of slime." 



The attack is perhaps most important among seedlings, 

 particularly when they destroy the seed leaves and growing 

 points. Vegetation and crops everywhere suffer from the 

 depredations of slugs, winter corn being very susceptible to 

 their attacks. WhcTi feeding on corn, evidence of their attack 

 may be found in the fact that the leaves of numbers of plants 

 have been eaten away, the thready vasctdar strands i^Mnaining 

 behind and uivin.^ the whole plant a ragged effect. The yt^ar 



Station Bulletin 170, - The Grev Ciarden Slug." 



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