ǂa ǂtwo-year field study on Arion vulgaris Moquin-Tandon and Limax maximus L.
Žiga Laznik (Author), Stanislav Trdan (Author), Miha Ocvirk (Author), Iztok Jože Košir (Author)

Abstract

Slugs are significant agricultural pests, causing extensive crop damage and economic losses. While chemical molluscicides are commonly used for control, concerns about their environmental impact have driven interest in alternative methods, including beer traps. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different beer types as attractants for slug trapping in field conditions over two consecutive years (2022–2023). Five types of beer—Union Lager, Paulaner Weissbier, BrewDog Punk IPA, Guinness Draught, and Chimay Blue—were tested alongside ethanol (10%) and a control treatment. The results demonstrated that Paulaner Weissbier and Union Lager were the most effective attractants, followed by Guinness Draught and Chimay Blue, while BrewDog Punk IPA had moderate effectiveness. Ethanol (10%) and the control treatment failed to attract slugs, confirming that volatile compounds, rather than alcohol alone, drive slug attraction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that Paulaner Weissbier contained high levels of isoamyl acetate and limonene, while Union Lager exhibited elevated ethyl esters, which likely contributed to their effectiveness. Environmental factors influenced slug activity, with higher temperatures correlating with increased slug capture rates, while precipitation had no significant effect. These findings highlight the role of fermentation-derived volatile compounds in slug attraction and suggest that optimizing beer traps based on beer composition and environmental conditions could improve their effectiveness as a non-chemical slug control method. Future research should explore the long-term stability of beer attractants, the potential of synthetic formulations, and alternative yeast-based attractants to enhance slug management strategies.

Keywords

slug control;beer traps;gastropod attractants;non-chemical pest management;volatile compounds;GC-MS analysis;integrated pest management;IPM;environmental factors;fermentation by-products;alternative molluscicides;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 632.93
COBISS: 236449027 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2077-0472
Views: 23
Downloads: 18
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: nadzor polžev;pivske pasti;atraktanti za polže;nekemično zatiranje škodljivcev;hlapne spojine;GC-MS analiza;integrirano zatiranje škodljivcev;okoljski dejavniki;stranski proizvodi fermentacije;alternativni mehkužcicidi;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: 12 str.
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ15
Issue: ǂissue ǂ10, [article no.] 1097
Chronology: May 2025
DOI: 10.3390/agriculture15101097
ID: 26412304
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