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A bioassay for screening materials influencing feeding in the field slug Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) (Mollusca: Pulmonata)
Author(s) -
CLARK S J,
DODDS C J,
HENDERSON I F,
MARTIN A P
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1997.tb06841.x
Subject(s) - biology , pulmonata , pellets , slug , artemisia , bioassay , botany , mollusca , toxicology , zoology , ecology , paleontology
Summary Test materials were incorporated in wheatflour pellets to measure their effect on slug feeding. The dry weights of individual pellets were measured before and after exposure for 24 h to starved slugs. The method gave consistent results, and can accommodate test materials with different physical properties. The phagostimulant effect of sucrose was confirmed. An extract of the herb tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) was the most effective antifeedant of the materials used at the concentrations tested. The method is compared with other published techniques.