The influence of weather upon the activity of slugs.

The activity of slugs was measured by a catch per unit effort sampling system based upon night searching, and was related to the microclimatological conditions in the habitat by regression analysis. The activity of Arion hortensis Fér., Arion subfuscus (Drap.), Arion lusitanicus Mab., Milax budapestensis (Hazay), and of all slugs irrespective of species, was found to be best related to temperature and vapour pressure deficit. The relevance of these results to the application of effective methods for the control of slugs is discussed.