Abstract
In laboratory tests the terrestrial gastropods Arion fasciatus, Deroceras reticulatum, Arianta arbustorum and Bradybaena fruticum preferred control leaf discs over discs treated with an aqueous suspension of crushed conspecifics. The response to suspensions of different species was weaker. The strength of the response increased with the concentration of the suspension. The suspension's effect in deterring feeding was inactivated within 18 to 32 hours. Hunger reduced normal responsiveness to conspecific fluids; the quality of the control food also affected the response. The results also imply that ranking among individuals is labile. Spraying lettucc with the suspension affected the dispersal of the animals only in early summer. The article discusses the biological significance of the response and the use of substances obtained from slugs and snails in the control of pest gastropods.
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