Assessment of Barrier Materials to Protect Plants from Florida Leatherleaf Slug (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Veronicellidae)

Potential barrier materials (diatomaceous earth, hydrated lime, sulfur, fumed silica, wood ash) and chemical repellents (2 essential oil-based sprays) were evaluated for their efficacy to prevent herbivory by the Florida leatherleaf slug, Leidyula floridana (Leidy, 1851) (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) by placing a band of material around the plant tissue or by direct application to foliage. Hydrated lime and sulfur effectively prevented foliage damage compared with the other 3 materials when presented as barriers. Dusting or sprinkling these barrier materials on foliage generally did not inhibit feeding by slugs, but sprinkling hydrated lime or wood ash onto foliage significantly reduced herbivory. Two commercially available essential oil formulations were evaluated for their effectiveness at repelling L. floridana. Pure 'N' Natural Snail & Slug Away (a cinnamon oil-based product) was quite effective whereas Slug & Snail Defense (containing cedar oil, pine oil, peppermint oil, and white pepper) was ineffective. Contact toxicities of barrier materials and essential oil products were assessed, and compared with a metaldehyde-based bait (Corry's Slug and Snail Pellets), an iron phosphate-based bait (Ecosense Slug and Snail Pellets), and a sulfur-based bait (Ortho Bug-getta Snail and Slug Killer(2)). Mortality of slugs was high when slugs were exposed to metaldehyde, hydrated lime, and the cinnamon oil-based spray. Iron phosphate bait, sulfur bait, and fumed silica were less effective but provided some reduction in herbivory. Soil moisture adversely affected efficacy of barrier materials, significantly compromising functionality relative to dry soils. Water uptake from soil by barrier materials was positively correlated with foliage consumption but pH was negatively correlated. Because of the negative correlation of pH with consumption, the negative effects of soil moisture on barrier effectiveness, and the rapid physiological response of slugs to some materials, these barrier materials are perhaps better considered to be physiochemical barriers rather than physical barriers.