Abstract
A comparison of defined-area traps (DATs) and refuge traps (RTs), in no-till alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to census the slug species Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), Deroceras laevae (Müller), and Arion fasciatus (Nielson) was made. The objective of the study was to determine whether RTs could be used in a range of crop densities and climatic conditions to assess slug density. In relation to slug density measured by DATs, RTs were less effective in trapping slugs in spring, when D. reticulatum was very small, but trapped relatively higher numbers than DATs when slugs were larger. Trapping methods were assessed between May and November in no-till alfalfa plots with plant densities ranging from 52 to 99% total plant cover in May to 78 to 91% cover in July. Alfalfa crop density had no effect upon RT catches except in dry conditions in June, when RTs collected more slugs in plots with most vegetation cover. Neither trap collected slugs during Severe drought conditions in July when soil moisture content in the top 5 cm of the soil profile dropped to about 6%.
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