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Success in Biological Control of Terrestrial Molluscs

  • Chapter
Biological Control: Measures of Success

Abstract

Although terrestrial molluscs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) (slugs and snails) seem poorly suited by their biology to become pests they frequently cause problems. Either they have been introduced into new regions where populations increase in the absence of natural controls, or the levels of crop damage that they inflict are not tolerated in their native region. As a consequence, much effort has been devoted to their management, and biological controls have been considered along with other methods. Current methods of chemical control are only partially effective (Henderson and Parker, 1986) and chemical molluscicides kill a wide range of non-target fauna including mammals, birds and invertebrates (South, 1992). Thus, selective and effective control of mollusc damage via biological control is an attractive prospect. However, the history of biological control of mollusc pests provides one of the ‘best’ examples of how poorly planned biological control can itself result in the extinction of non-target species (see also Chapter 13). In this chapter we examine examples of biological control with introduced natural enemies, but focus particularly on control with indigenous natural enemies where the approach has been to increase their populations either by inundation (see Chapter 3) or conservation (see Chapter 4).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    G. R. Port

  2. IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9AF, UK

    D. M. Glen

  3. School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3TL, UK

    W. O. C. Symondson

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  1. G. R. Port
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  2. D. M. Glen
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  3. W. O. C. Symondson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sydney, Australia

    Geoff Gurr

  2. Lincoln University, New Zealand

    Steve Wratten

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Port, G.R., Glen, D.M., Symondson, W.O.C. (2000). Success in Biological Control of Terrestrial Molluscs. In: Gurr, G., Wratten, S. (eds) Biological Control: Measures of Success. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4014-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4014-0_5

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