Comparative efficacy of mollusk baits containing metaldehyde (SlugFest and Deadline) and iron phosphate (Sluggo) against the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum occurring on artichokes.

摘要

In recent years, the gray garden slug has increasingly become a serious pest of artichokes [Cynara scolymus] on the central coast of California causing economic damage. This change is perhaps because of significant deviations from certain agronomic and cultural practices. For example, to avoid crop damage at crop's annual cut-back, growers are cutting down artichoke plants at shallower depths, a practice which often results in a greater survival and carryover of slug populations from one season to the next. Another practice that has similar effect on slug population is the high density planting that prevents cross cultivation. Subsurface drip irrigation seems to discourage slugs from foraging on foliage closer to ground. Rather, they seem to take refuge in artichoke fronds, which remain moist for most part of the day, and fortuitously feed on young, tender artichoke buds developing therein. We tested several commercially available slug bait products containing either metaldehyde or iron phosphate as molluscicide component for managing spring and summer generations of the gray garden slug. All test-baits reduced slug density and slug-feeding damage to artichoke buds significantly compared to the untreated control treatment.