Slugs and Snails

Four exotic snails of European (Mediterranean) origin and several slug species are established in Australian cropping regions and are significant pests of grain crops. Slugs and snails attack seedling crops, resulting in plant damage and yield impacts.

Snails, additionally, climb crop plants in spring and contaminate the grain harvest, creating significant harvest costs (harvester modifications, damage to machinery, post-harvest grain cleaning) and losses (grain value downgrades, receival rejections) for affected growers, and market risks for the industry.

Research on the impact of these pests in the grains industry has occurred since the 1980s, and GRDC has a history of investment in novel approaches to mollusc control, some of which are ongoing. The development of improved management tactics for snails and slugs remains a priority to improve growers’ profitability.

A new $4.6 million national research project is set to provide Australian grain growers with new tools and management techniques to combat snails, aiming to minimise losses and improve market opportunities for affected crops.

The four-year GRDC project is led by the University of Adelaide in collaboration with:

• the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
• University of South Australia (UniSA)
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
• the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).