Abstract
Although terrestrial molluscs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) (slugs and snails) seem poorly suited by their biology to become pests they frequently cause problems. Either they have been introduced into new regions where populations increase in the absence of natural controls, or the levels of crop damage that they inflict are not tolerated in their native region. As a consequence, much effort has been devoted to their management, and biological controls have been considered along with other methods. Current methods of chemical control are only partially effective (Henderson and Parker, 1986) and chemical molluscicides kill a wide range of non-target fauna including mammals, birds and invertebrates (South, 1992). Thus, selective and effective control of mollusc damage via biological control is an attractive prospect. However, the history of biological control of mollusc pests provides one of the ‘best’ examples of how poorly planned biological control can itself result in the extinction of non-target species (see also Chapter 13). In this chapter we examine examples of biological control with introduced natural enemies, but focus particularly on control with indigenous natural enemies where the approach has been to increase their populations either by inundation (see Chapter 3) or conservation (see Chapter 4).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Altieri, M.A., Hagen, K.S., Trujillo, J. and Caltagirone, L.E. (1982), Biological control of Limax maximus and Helix aspersa by indigenous predators in a daisy field in central coastal California, Acta Oecologica, 3, 387–390.
Asteraki, E.J. (1993), The potential of carabid beetles to control slugs in grass/clover swards, Entomophaga, 38, 193–198.
Ayre, K. (1995), Evaluation of carabids as predators of slugs in arable land, PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Baker G. H. (1989) Damage population dynamics movement and control of pest helicid snails in southern Australia in Slugs and Snails in World Agriculture BCPC Monograph No. 41 ed. I.F. Henderson BCPC Thornton Heath pp. 175–185
Barker, G.M. (1991), Biology of slugs (Agriomilacidae and Arionidae: Mollusca) in New Zealand hill country pastures, Oecologia, 85, 581–595.
Bohan, D.A., Bohan, A.C., Glen, D.M., Symondson, W.O.C., Wiltshire, C.W. and Hughes, L. (2000), Spatial dynamics of predation by carabid beetles on slugs, Journal of Animal Ecology, 69, (in press).
Burn, A.J. (1988), Assessment of the impact of pesticides on invertebrate predation in cereal crops, Aspects of Applied Biology 17, Environmental Aspects of Applied Biology Part 2, 173–179.
Civeyrel, L. and Simberloff, D. (1996), A tale of two snails: Is the cure worse than the disease? Biodiversity and Conservation, 5, 1231–1252.
Clarke B., Murray, J. and Johnson, M.S. (1984), The extinction of endemic species by a program of biological control, Pacific Science, 38, 97–104.
Coote T., Loeve E., Meyer, J.Y. and Clarke, D. (1999), Extant populations of endemic partulids on Tahiti, French Polynesia, Oryx, 33, 215–222.
Coupland, J.B. (1995), Susceptibility of helicid snails to isolates of the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita from southern France, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 66, 207–208.
Coupland, J.B. (1996), The biological control of helicid snail pests in Australia: Surveys, screening and potential agents, in Slug and Snail Pests in Agriculture, BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 66, ed. I.F. Henderson, BCPC, Farnham, pp. 255–261.
Coupland, J.B. and Baker, G. (1994), Host distribution, larviposition behavior and generation time of Sarcophaga-penicillata (Diptera, Sarcophagidae), a parasitoid of conical snails, Bulletin of Entomological Research, 84, 185–189.
Coupland, J.B. and Baker, G. (1996), The potential of several species of terrestrial Sciomyzidae as biological control agents of pest helicid snails in Australia, Crop Protection, 14, 573–576.
Ester, A. and Geleen, P.M.T.M. (1996), Integrated control of slugs in a sugar beet crop growing in a rye cover crop, in Slug and Snail Pests in Agriculture, BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 66, ed. I.F. Henderson, BCPC, Farnham, pp. 445–450.
Evans, M.E.G. (1964), A comparative account of the feeding methods of the beetles Nebria brevicollis (F.) (Carabidae) and Philonthus decorus (Grav.) (Staphylinidae), Transactions, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 66, 91–109.
Fadl A., Purvis, G. and Towey, K. (1996), The effect of time of soil cultivation on the incidence of Pterostichus melanarius (Illig.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in arable land in Ireland, Annales Zoologi Fennici, 33, 207–214.
Fisher, T.W., Moore I., Legner, E.F. and Orth, R.E. (1976) Ocypus olens: a predator of brown garden snails, California Agriculture, 30, 20–21.
Frampton, G.K., Çilgi T., Fry, G.L.A. and Wratten, S.D. (1995), Effects of grassy banks on the dispersal of some carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on farmland, Biological Conservation, 71, 347–355.
Glen, D.M., Wilson, M.J., Pearce, J.D. and Rodgers, P.B. (1994), Discovery and investigation of a novel nematode parasite for biological control of slugs, Proceedings Brighton Crop Protection Conference-Pests and Diseases 1994, 2, 617–624.
Glen, D.M., Wilson, M.J., Hughes L., Cargeeg, P. and Hajjar, A. (1996), Exploring and exploiting the potential of the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita as a biocontrol agent for slugs, in Slug and Snail Pests in Agriculture, BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 66, ed. I.F. Henderson, BCPC, Farnham, pp. 271–280.
Glen, D.M. and Wilson, M.J. (1997), Slug-parasitic nematodes as biocontrol agents for slugs, Agro-Food-Industry Hi-Tech, 8, 23–27.
Glen D., Hughes, L. and Wiltshire, C. (1999), Can slug-parasitic nematodes protect your vegetable crops? Organic Farming, Issue 62, 14–15.
Glen, D.M., Wilson, M.J., Brain, P. and Stroud, G. (2000), Feeding activity and survival of slugs, Deroceras reticulatum, exposed to the rhabditid nematode, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita): a model of dose-response, Biological Control, 17, 73–81.
Grant, J.F., Yeargan, K.V., Pass, B.C. and Parr, J.C. (1982), Invertebrate organisms associated with alfalfa seedling loss in complete-tillage and no-tillage plantings, Journal of Economic Entomology, 75, 822–826.
Greene, A. (1975), Biology of five species of Cychrini (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the steppe region of south-eastern Washington, Melanderia, 19, 1–43.
Hass B., Glen, D.M., Brain, P. and Hughes, L.A. (1999a), Targeting biocontrol with the slug-parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita in slug feeding areas: a model study, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 9, 585–596.
Hass B., Hughes, L.A. and Glen, D.M. (1999b), Overall versus band application of the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita with and without incorporation into soil, for biological control of slugs in winter wheat, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 9, 577–584.
Henderson, I.F, Parker and K.A. (1986), Problems in developing chemical control of slugs, Aspects of Applied Biology, 13, Crop protection of sugarbeet and crop protection and quality of potatoes, 341–347.
Jones, A. A. and Selman, B. J. (1984), A possible biological control agent of the grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum), 1984British Crop Protection Conference-Pests and Diseases, BCPC, Thornton Heath, pp. 261–266.
Jones, A.A. and Selman, B.J. (1985), Microsporidium novacastriensis n.sp., a microsporidian parasite of the grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum, Journal of Protozoology, 32, 581–585.
Kennedy, P.J. (1990), The effects of molluscicides on the abundance and distribution of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and other invertebrates, PhD thesis, University of Bristol.
Lys, J. A. and Nentwig, W. (1992), Augmentation of beneficial arthropods by strip-management, Oecologia, 92, 373–382.
Mair, J. and Port, G.R. (1999), The potential of carabid beetles as a biological control agent of slugs, Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 1999, pp. 127–132.
Maupas, A. (1900), Modes et formes de reproduction des nematodes, Archives de Zoologie, 8, 464–642.
Mead, A.R. (1961), The Giant African Snail: A Problem in Economic Malacology, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Mead, A. R. (1979), Economic malacolgy: with particular reference to Achatina fulica, in Pulmonates, 2B, eds. V. Fretter, J. Fretter and J. Peake, Academic Press, London.
Mendis, V.W. (1997), A study of slug egg predation using immunological techniques, PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Mengert, H. (1953), Nematoden und Schneken, Zeitschrift für Morphologie und Ökologie, Tiere, 41, 311–349.
Mienis, H.K. (1980), The ground beetle Carabus impressus feeding on snails in Israel, The Conchologist’s Newsletter, 75, 279–281.
Mienis, H.K. (1985), The ground beetle Scarites eurytes feeding on Monacha obstructa, Levantiana 55, 625.
Mienis, H.K. (1988), Additional records of predation on landsnails by the ground beetle Carabus impressus in Israel, The Conchologist’s Newsletter, 106, 121–123.
Moran, S. (1987), Insect enemies of the landsnail Theba piscina in Israel, Israel Journal of Entomology, 21, 129–130.
Morand, S. (1988), Contribution à l’étude d’un systeme hôtes-parasites: nematodes associés à quelques mollusques terrestres, Doctoral thesis, University of Rennes.
Murdoch, W.W., Chesson, J. and Chesson, P.L. (1985), Biological control in theory and practice, American Naturalist, 125, 344–366.
Murray J., Murray E., Johnson, M. S. and Clarke, B. (1988), The extinction of Partula on Moorea, Pacific Science, 42, 150–153.
Nield, C.E. (1976), Aspects of the biology of Staphylinus olens (Müller), Britain’s largest staphylinid beetle, Ecological Entomology, 1, 117–126.
Orth, R.E., Moore I., Fisher, T.W. and Legner, E.F. (1975), A rove beetle, Ocypus olens, with potential for biological control of the brown garden snail, Helix aspersa, in California, including a key to the Nearctic species of Ocypus, Canadian Entomologist, 107, 1111–1116.
Pakarinen, E. (1994a), The importance of mucus as a defence against carabid beetles by the slugs Arion fasciatus and Deroceras reticulatum, Journal of Molluscan Studies, 60, 149–155.
Pakarinen, E. (1994b), Autotomy in arionid and limacid slugs, Journal of Molluscan Studies, 60, 19–23.
Parry, W.H. and Pendlebury, A.J. (1986), The occurrence of Carabidae in open-air nurseries and polyhouses, EPPO Bulletin, 16, 597–602.
Purvis, G. and Bannon, J.W. (1992), Non-target effects of repeated methiocarb slug pellet application on carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) activity in winter-sown cereals, Annals of Applied Biology, 121, 401–422.
Rollo, CD. and Wellington, W.G. (1979), Intra-and inter-specific agonistic behaviour among terrestrial slugs (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora), Canadian Journal of Zoology, 57, 846–855.
Runham, N.W. and Hunter, P.J. (1970), Terrestrial Slugs, Hutchinson University Library, London.
Schneider, A. (1859), Über eine Nematodenlarve und gewisse Verschiedenheiten in den Geschlechtsorganen der Nematoden, Zeitschrift fur wissenschaft Zoologie, 10, 176–178.
South, A. (1980), A technique for the assessment of predation by birds and mammals on the slug Deroceras reticulatum, Journal of Conchology, 30, 229–234.
South, A. (1992), Terrestrial Slugs: Biology, Ecology and Control, Chapman and Hall, London.
Speiser, B. and Andermatt, M. (1996), Field trials with Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita in Switzerland, in Slug and Snail Pests in Agriculture, BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 66, ed. I.F. Henderson, BCPC, Farnham, pp. 419–424.
Stephenson, J.W, Knutson and L.V (1966), A resume of recent studies of invertebrates associated with slugs, Journal of Economic Entomology, 59, 356–360.
Sunderland, K.D. (1996), Progress in quantifying predation using antibody techniques, in The Ecology of Agricultural Pests, Biochemical Approaches, eds. W.O.C. Symondson and J.E. Liddell, Systematics Association Special Volume 53, Chapman and Hall, London.
Symondson, W.O.C. (1989), Biological Control of slugs by carabids in Slugs and Snails in World Agriculture, BCPC Monograph No. 41, ed. I.F. Henderson, BCPC, Thornton Heath, pp. 295–300.
Symondson, W.O.C. (1992), Biological Control of Slugs by Carabid Beetles, PhD Thesis, University of Wales College of Cardiff.
Symondson, W.O.C. (1993), The effects of crop development upon slug distribution and control by Abax parallelepipedus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Annals of Applied Biology, 123, 449–457.
Symondson, W.O.C. (1994), The potential of Abax parallelepipedus (Col: Carabidae) for mass breeding as a biological control agent against slugs, Entomophaga, 39, 323–333.
Symondson, W.O.C. (1997), Does Tandonia budapestensis (Mollusca: Pulmonata) contain toxins? Evidence from feeding trials with the slug predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Journal of Molluscan Studies, 63, 575–579.
Symondson, W.O.C. (2000), Coleoptera (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Lampyridae, Drilidae and Silphidae) as predators of terrestrial gastropods, in Natural Enemies of Terrestrial Molluscs, ed. G.M. Barker, CAB International, Wallingford. (in press)
Symondson, W.O.C. and Liddell, J.E. (1993a), The development and characterization of an anti-haemolymph antiserum for the detection of mollusc remains within carabid beetles, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 3, 261–275.
Symondson, W.O.C. and Liddell, J.E. (1993b), The detection of predation by Abax parallelepipedus and Pterostichus madidus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on Mollusca using a quantitative ELISA, Bulletin of Entomological Research, 83, 641–647.
Symondson, W.O.C. and Liddell, J.E. (1993c), Differential antigen decay rates during digestion of molluscan prey by carabid predators, Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 69, 277–287.
Symondson, W.O.C, Glen, D.M., Wiltshire, C.W, Langdon, C.J. and Liddell, J.E. (1996), Effects of cultivation techniques and methods of straw disposal on predation by Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) upon slugs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in an arable field, Journal of Applied Ecology, 33, 741–753.
Thiele, H.U. (1977), Carabid Beetles in their EnvironmentsSpringer-Verlag, Berlin.
Thomas, M.B., Wratten, S.D. and Sotherton, N.W. (1991), Creation of island habitats in farmland to manipulate populations of beneficial arthropods: predator densities and emigration, Journal of Applied Ecology, 28, 906–917.
Thomas, M.B., Wratten, S.D. and Sotherton, N.W. (1992), Creation of island habitats in farmland to manipulate populations of beneficial arthropods: predator densities and species composition, Journal of Applied Ecology, 29, 524–531.
Tod, M.E. (1973), Notes on beetle predators of molluscs, Entomologist, 106, 196–201.
Van Driesche, R.G. and Bellows, T.S. (eds.) (1996), Biological Control, Chapman and Hall, New York.
Wheater, C.P. (1987), Observations on the food of Staphylinus olens Müller (Col., Staphylinidae), Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, 123, 116.
Wild, S.V. and Lawson, A.K. (1937), Enemies of the land and freshwater Mollusca of the British Isles, Journal of Conchology, 20, 351–361.
Wilson, M.J., George, S.K., Glen, D.M., Pearce, J.D. and Rodgers, P.B. (1993a), Biological control of slug and snail pests with a novel parasitic nematode. Conference Internationale sur les Ravageurs en Agriculture, 7-9 Decembre 1993, Montpellier, Volume 1, pp. 425–43
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M. and George, S.K. (1993b), The rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita as a potential biological control agent for slugs, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 3, 503–511.
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M., George, S.K. and Butler, R.C. (1993c), Mass cultivation and storage of the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, a biocontrol agent for slugs, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 3, 513–521.
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M. and Pearce, J.D. (1993d), Biological control of molluscs, World Intellectual Property Organisation, International Patent Publication Number: WO 93/ 00816.
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M., George, S.K., Pearce, J.D. and Wiltshire, C.W. (1994a), Biological control of slugs in winter wheat using the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Annals of Applied Biology, 125, 377–390.
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M., Hughes, L.A., Pearce, J.D. and Rodgers, P.B. (1994b), Laboratory tests of the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of field slugs (Deroceras reticulatum) Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 64, 182–1
Wilson, M.J., Glen, D.M, Wiltshire, C.W. and George, S.K. (1994), Mini-plot field experiments using the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita for biocontrol of slugs, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 4, 103–113.
Wilson, M.J, Glen, D.M, George, S.K. and Hughes, L.A. (1995a), Biocontrol of slugs in protected lettuce using the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 5, 233–242.
Wilson, M.J, Glen, D.M, George, S.K. and Pearce, J.D. (1995b), Selection of a bacterium for the mass production of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) as a biocontrol agent for slugs, Fundamental and Applied hematology, 18, 419–425.
Wilson, M.J, Glen, D.M, Pearce, J.D. and Rodgers, P.B. (1995c), Monoxenic culture of the slug parasite Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) with different bacteria in liquid and solid phase, Fundamental and Applied Nematology, 18, 159–166.
Wilson, M.J., Hughes, L.A. and Glen, D.M. (1995d), Developing strategies for the nematode, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, as a biological control agent for slugs in integrated crop management systems, in Integrated Crop Protection: Towards Sustainability? British Crop Protection Council Symposium Proceedings No. 63, pp. 33–40.
Wilson, M.J., Hughes, LA., Hamacher, G.M., Barahona, L.D. and Glen, D.M. (1996), Effects of soil incorporation on the efficacy of the rhabditid nematode, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, as a biological control agent for slugs, Annals of Applied Biology, 128, 117–126.
Wilson, M.J, Hughes, L.A, Jefferies, D. and Glen, D.M. (1999), Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum and Arion ater agg.) avoid soil treated with the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Biological Control, 16, 170–176.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Port, G.R., Glen, D.M., Symondson, W.O.C. (2000). Success in Biological Control of Terrestrial Molluscs. In: Gurr, G., Wratten, S. (eds) Biological Control: Measures of Success. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4014-0_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4014-0_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1052-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4014-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive