Evaluation of Potential Molluscicides for the Control of the Field Slug, Agriolimax reticulatus (Müll.)

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Nine candidate molluscicides were compared with methiocarb and metaldehyde in tests against the field slug, Agriolimax reticulatus (Müll.), in the laboratory and in small plot tests under glasshouse and field conditions. The candidate chemicals comprised two organo‐phosphates and seven carbamates. A mixture of one of the carbamates and metaldehyde was also tested. Formulations included pellets, granules and wettable powders. Only WL21959 (S‐2‐cyanoethyl N‐[(methyl carbamoyl) oxy] thioacetimidate) was more effective than proprietary pellets of metaldehyde or methiocarb. In field trials, pellets of WL 21959 at 5 kg/ha consistently caused the highest slug mortality; a wettable powder formulation was also effective under ideal conditions. In laboratory experiments, WL 21959 was active as a seed treatment for slug control in wheat. The effects of the chemicals on earthworms in field trials were also recorded. WL 21959, particularly the granular formulation, was the most toxic to earthworms.