Parasite offers natural way to control leaf-ea...( Larval worms of this spe...)

Larval worms of this species infect slugs and snails by burrowing under their shells and into their skin. Infected slugs stop eating immediately, and die about five days later, as the adult worms emerge. Adults also lay eggs in the host's corpse, producing another generation of larvae that will infect other slugs.

The worm of interest is known as a nematode, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. Before it can be used to control slugs in the United States, researchers will have to prove to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the worm won't harm North American plants and animals, aside from the pests.

"P. hermaphrodita seems very well tuned to snails and slugs. So far, we've seen no evidence that it can infect other animals, but we will have to determine that for sure," Grewal said.

Cost is another factor that will determine whether the worms are used in the U.S., he said. One application's worth of worms, enough to control slugs over a quarter of an acre, costs about $50.

One dose of metaldehyde for the same size area costs about $10, Grewal said, but several doses have to be applied over the course of one growing season.

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Contact: Parwinder Grewal
Grewal.4@osu.edu
330-263-3963
Ohio State University
14-Sep-2001

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