Secondary abstract: |
In the laboratory experiment we studied the efficacy of different types of sawdust (cherry, oak, pear, larch, walnut and spruce) on behavioural changes of slugs (Aronidae). The study included 140 different slugs of the Arion genus. In the study, we checked the efficacy of the substance in two ways; at first, the activity of the substance was studied in direct contact (we rolled the slugs in particular sawdust). In the second part of the experiment, we studied the ability of the slugs to pass through obstacles from different types of sawdust. The results showed a low effect of selected types of sawdust on the mortality rate of the slugs. After 48 hours, we confirmed a 10 % mortality of the slugs when using oak and cherry sawdust. Furthermore in an attempt to study the contact activity, we did not confirm the effect on lowering the feeding ability of the slugs. The sawdust serving as an obstacle (the second experiment) has proven to be a satisfactory effective measure with an impact on the reduction of the feeding ability of the slugs. Among the studied types of sawdust, two tree types should be highlighted: oak and cherry. In both cases, the feeding level of the slugs was reduced by more than 60 %. In conclusion, the use of sawdust is less effective compared to some other environmentally acceptable substances. In the future, it might be sensible to use a combination of different types of sawdust to determine a possible synergistic effect. |