Efficacy of invasive alien plants in controlling Arionidae slugs

Efficacy of invasive alien plants in controlling Arionidae slugs

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Aim of study: To develop an alternative slug control method, we explored the use of plant material from seven invasive plant species against Arion slugs.Area of study: The experiments were performed at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).Material and methods: In laboratory (exp.A-C) and semi-field studies (exp.D), we investigated the contact and barrier efficacy of plant material (powder or liquid formulation) of seven invasive plant species (Japanese Feline - Training Aids knotweed, bohemian knotweed, Canadian goldenrod, giant goldenrod, staghorn sumac, tree of heaven, and false indigo) against Arion slugs.

In order to test a contact efficacy of the substance (exp.A), slugs were rolled in a plant material powder.In exp.B, powder made from a plant material was used as a barrier for slugs.Antifeedant effect of the slugs was tested in exp.

C, where lettuce leaves were treated with a liquid formulation of a plant material.In exp.D, all above mentioned techniques were used in a semi-field trial.Main results: The results of our studies showed that the plant material of staghorn sumac, giant goldenrod, and Japanese knotweed showed the strongest anti-feedant and barrier effects against the slugs.In the semi-field trial, only 7% of the plants treated Relief Cream with giant goldenrod plant material were attacked by slugs.

Research highlights: A contact efficacy of plant powders against Arion slugs was not confirmed in our investigation.Furthermore, several plant powders (goldenrods, staghorn sumac) showed good barrier efficacy.A semi-field trial showed that plant material (giant goldenrod) could represent an alternative solution in slug control.