Slug holes

Slug holes

Latin name : Arion hortensis ; Deroceras reticulatum

Slug holes
Slug holes
Slug holes
Slug holes

Diagnostic characters for visual diagnosis

  • Entry hole usually circular often 0.5cm diameter or wider
  • Presence of a trail of slime around the entry hole
  • Internal irregular cavities beneath the entry hole, sometimes extensive
  • Margin of cavities usually brown and demarcated from tuber flesh
  • Cavities contain debris from slug feeding activities

Notes on confirmatory diagnostics

  • Confirmation of species causing damage requires finding slugs associated with the lesion
Slug
Slug

Key reference:

Wareing DR & Bailey SER (1989). Factors affecting slug damage and its control in potato crops.  Monograph, British Crop Protection Council 41, 113-120

Possible confusing symptoms :

Wireworm holes

Dry core

Rhizoctonia holes

Modification date : 30 May 2023 | Publication date : 25 February 2013 | Redactor : Stuart Wale