Integrated slug control in arable crops: Risk assessment, trapping, agronomy and chemical control

1 SUMMARY 2 TECHNICAL DETAIL PAPERS 12 PAPER 1. Factors influencing the batch size, development and hatching rate of Deroceras reticulatum eggs 12 PAPER 2. Seasonal and temperature effects on the growth rate and survival of Deroceras reticulatum 25 PAPER 3. Hatching, growth and survival of self-fertilised Deroceras reticulatum 46 PAPER 4. The relationship between weight and female-phase sexual maturity in Deroceras reticulatum 56 PAPER 5.The abundance and population size structure of Deroceras reticulatum and other pest species in arable fields 74 PAPER 6. Slug damage to winter wheat seeds in relation to slug body weight 92 PAPER 7. Abundance and vertical distribution of slugs in soil following cultivation 98 PAPER 8. Behaviour of Deroceras reticulatum in response to broadcast, drilled and soil contaminated molluscicide pellets 101 PAPER 9. Characterisation of the surface activity of Deroceras reticulatum on coarse and fine seedbeds in the presence and absence of metaldehyde pellets 116 PAPER 10. The effects of heavy rainfall on the visibility and distribution of slug pellets based on durum wheat 131 PAPER 11. The performance of slug pellets broadcast on stubble compared with pellets broadcast after drilling for control of slug damage to winter wheat and oilseed rape 134 PAPER 12. A long-term field experiment on slug activity and slug damage in relation to seedbed preparation and slug pellet application 153 PAPER 13. Forecasting slug populations in arable crops using individual-based simulation models 193 PAPER 14. Using traps with non-toxic bait to assess slug activity and damage risk 201 PAPER 15. Estimation of surface active slug populations using refuge traps 216 PAPER 16. System of risk assessment and integrated control for winter wheat 237 PAPER 17. Risk assessment and integrated control for oilseed rape 242 REFERENCES 252