Terrestrial slug problems: classical biological control and beyond.
2012
Howlett, S. A.
Slugs are an important crop and ornamental plant pest throughout temperate regions in all sectors of the growing industry. Their pest status is set to increase as environmental considerations such as using reduced tillage and over-winter green crops, along with legislative changes to pesticide usage and more extreme weather patterns favour population growth. Consequently, the need for sustainable approaches to slug control will become ever-more important. This review focuses on biocontrol strategies, including nematodes, sciomyzid flies and microbes. First, an overview of the problems caused by slugs in agriculture and horticulture is given, highlighting the key pest species of temperate climates. This is followed by a brief description of the existing approaches to their control and the current position with regard to classical biological control of slugs is discussed in detail. Finally, future research needs are summarized, along with the challenges involved.
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