A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR ASSESSING THE CONTACT TOXICITY OF MOLLUSCICIDES TO SLUGS

Abstract

A technique is described to accurately assess the dermal contact dose-mortality response of molluscicides. The technique involves carbon dioxide anaesthesia of laboratory reared Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) followed by application of test substances in solution to the dorsal surface. The LD₅₀ of the substances tested were as follows: Sodium pentachlorophenate, 55.9 ng.mg⁻¹, Copper sulphate, 124.1 ng.mg⁻¹, Methiocarb, 314.6 ng.mg⁻¹ and Potassium permanganate, 418.9 ng.mg⁻¹ body weight.