Slugs... BBC Article

[alldigging]

BBC News - Who What Why: Are British slugs under threat?
Spanish slugs taking over!

"It is a real concern," says Dr Les Noble, a slug expert from Aberdeen University. "I have been collecting and analysing data on slugs for 30 years and it is clear to me that this incoming species is getting a foothold in the UK and spreading."


What's the name for a slug expert? A slugologist?

[veggiechicken]

A slug expert on the Vine would be a squashsnipologiist

[Peas'n'Kews]

Well, apparantly slug experts are "Conchologists" and have their own society!
Identification of common British & Irish garden molluscs | The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland

I just want to be able to identify the Spanish Menace when I see it for extra squishing!!!

think I may have this wrong - the Conchology Society is for snails not slugs....

Still haven't found a good slug ID line up....

[alldigging]

Neither of these are particularly brilliant imo.

Slug Identification - Photo Gallery

and
Slugs

The field slug is a surface-feeding specialist typically found infesting lettuces and cabbages. In fact it eats almost all our crops, from carrots and beans to spinach and tobacco, from celery and tomatoes to orchids and cacti. It is a major pest of cereal crops and will even eat potato haulms.

So the field slug is probably doing well this year.

[Peas'n'Kews]

Found this web site for lots of sluggy info, most of which has been talked about before...

http://www.uksafari.com/slugs.htm - with some good links at the bottom of the page

Enjoy!

[VirginVegGrower]

Did they swim over?

[alldigging]

Is now a good time to share my photo called "slug trail rainbow"?

[Samurailord]

If that was taken on your allotment, can I change my mind about taking a plot??

I am having enough trouble at home with snails as it is!!

Andy

[alldigging]

:-)
It was taken on my plot.

I don't know what horrifies me more - the state of the 'soil' or the amount of slime!


Well the slug expert says he will ID any slug photos I have of those eating the spuds foliage. So I'd better lurk with my camera this evening I think. And a brolly. Maybe a flask of tea...
Can I get a commission from the BBC for 'slugwatch'?

[Piggle]

Lets hope they take siestas..........

[alldigging]

They are all at it right now! Well they were til I got out there and disposed of some.

Some little white ones and lots of orange bottom ones...


Can't get the photos to upload here though

[dominic10]

And on The One show tonight they even had someone dressed up in a slug outfit and pros and cons of slugs. Apparently they eat a lot of decayed material as well as our salad.

[veggiechicken]

And here's a little song about slugs!
BBC - CBeebies - Best Worst Bugs Song

[binley100]

Plenty of racial equality here ............I hate the lot of them equally as much.

[alldigging]

Eh voila!

Did I say it was the maris pipers being snaffled?