In 1995, slug damage and numbers of slugs were estimated in two grass
strips and adjacent rape fields. Investigations began as soon as rape
seedlings emerged and lasted for five weeks. Slug damage to rape plant
s 1 m from the grass strips was significantly higher than at greater d
istances from the strips. Deroceras reticulatum was the most abundant
slug species recorded in both grass strips and adjacent rape fields. A
rion lusitanicus and Arion fasciatus were much less abundant than D. r
eticulatum. In one field, D. reticulatum declined steadily with increa
sing distance from the grass strips and therefore appeared to have cau
sed the majority of severe damage to rape plants close to the strips.
This finding was surprising because until now severe slug damage in oi
lseed rape beside semi-natural habitats has been observed only where A
. lusitanicus was abundant.