Susceptibility of the eggs of the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum to contact with metal salts

Abstract

Laboratory research is reported in which eggs of the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum were incubated on filter paper moistened with solutions of cupric sulphate, aluminium sulphate, ferric chloride and zinc sulphate at different concentrations. After four or more days exposure, the median lethal doses (LD50) were below 10 μg metal ion/cm2 for the four metals tested. Copper showed the highest toxicity with LD50 values below 5 μg metal ion/cm2.