Floral herbivory of an invasive slug on a native weed

Abstract

Honěk A., Martinková Z. (2014): Floral herbivory of an invasive slug on a native weed. Plant Protect. Sci., 50: 151-156.Effects of floral herbivory (grazing flowers) by slugs on production and quality of seeds of herbaceous plants have been rarely quantified. We studied consequences of grazing by an invasive slug Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) for inflorescences of dandelion (taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers). In May 2008, a grassy site in Prague-Ruzyně (Czech Republic) was densely populated by dandelion inflorescences. Of the 40% of the flowers grazed by the slug, 70% died before seed dispersal and seed was eaten from 10% of the closed mature inflorescences. Viability of seeds from inflorescences that survived slug grazing was not affected. In addition to seedling predation, grazing of flowers may be an important source of dandelion mortality at sites where this slug is abundant.

Recurved Taraxacum phyllaries function as a floral defense: experimental evidence and its implication for Taraxacum evolutionary history

“…was as low as 0.21%. More recently, Honeˇk and Martinkova´(2014) observed florivory by the invasive slug Arion lusitanicus on native T. officinale flower heads in the Czech Republic. They observed 547 T. officinale flower heads, among which approximately 40% were damaged by slugs.…”

“…We suggest that in Japanese dandelions, nyctinasty may be effective against native florivores, but less so against introduced slugs. In Europe, the threat of slug florivory may be higher because they are active before sunset (Honeˇk and Martinkova´2014) and the recurved outer and longer inner phyllaries may have evolved under this florivory pressure. Further studies on the interactions between slugs and dandelions in both Europe and Asia are necessary to deepen our understanding of the function and evolutionary history of recurved phyllaries in Taraxacum.…”

Reducing the Application Rate of Molluscicide Pellets for the Invasive Spanish Slug, Arion vulgaris

“…A slightly warmer climate, with reduced seasonal amplitude, increased precipitation, and reduced ice cover, has been observed during the past five to seven decades [ 5 ]. Spanish slugs feed on many vegetables, wheat, fruits, and ornamental plants [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] and leave gnawed plant remains and slime. Control methods in Europe include chemical biocides that comply with Regulation (EU) 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council.…”

Mucus-derived exosome-like vesicles from the Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris): taking advantage of invasive pest species in biotechnology

“…Spanish slugs (Arion vulgaris, Moquin-Tandon, 1855) are the most common European gastropod species listed among the worst invasive pests in Europe. Arion slugs are voracious herbivores known to cause substantial ecological [1][2][3][4][5] and economical damage 6,7 . Additionally, they act as vectors for pathogenic bacteria and as hosts for parasites, which harm domestic pets and cattle [8][9][10] .…”