Developing a biological control method for terrestrial molluscs in South Africa

摘要

Terrestrial molluscs (slugs and snails) have become significant pests in South Africa, despite their slow movement and lack of teeth. Their ability to be hermaphroditic (have both female and male sex organs), re-generate their heads and have eggs thatlay dormant in moist soil, show their status as pests. So, control of these molluscs is an on-going battle for gardeners, growers and farmers alike. Molluscs feed on a variety of living plants and decaying plant matter, however they are primarily pestsof seedlings and herba-'ceous plants. They also have the ability to cause serious damage to ripening fruits that are close to the ground (e.g. strawberries and tomatoes) and fruit trees (e.g. citrus). Confirmation of mollusc damage is usually establishedby the identification of a silvery mucous trail next to the damaged area, thus eliminating other chewing insects as the perpetrators.