Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are asking growers to participate in a survey about slug and snail pests affecting horticultural crops. The outcome will aid in a research project aimed at the development of appropriate Extension and research control methods against these pests.
The title of the research project is Understanding and Managing Effects of Nuisance and Phytophagous Snail and Slug Species in Horticultural Crops. The principal investigator is Xavier Martini, UF/IFAS associate professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy.
Participation is voluntary and the survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Growers can withdraw from the survey at any time and don’t have to answer any questions they don’t wish to answer. Only the researcher will have access to the information provided. No identifying information will be collected or connected with grower responses, which will be anonymous.
Survey responses will help researchers know which crop is most impacted by slugs and snails and the current knowledge of responders.
Survey participants who want to be informed about the slug and snail research or to join the researchers’ working group may supply their email address, but that is optional. Those with questions may contact Martini at 850-875-7160.
UF/IFAS entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock recently wrote a Citrus Industry Tip of the Week article stating that snail management is becoming a more common discussion in Florida citrus with the arrival of a newer species in the Southeast. Diepenbrock, an assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center, noted that the snail of concern is Bulimulus bonariensis.
According to Diepenbrock, molluscicides can provide short-term relief, but for long-term management, habitat manipulation and/or finding a predator is often the key to effective management.
Source: UF/IFAS
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