Snails and slugs are among the most bothersome pests in many gardens and landscapes. They feed on a variety of living plants and on decaying plant matter. They chew irregular holes with smooth edges in leaves and flowers and can clip succulent plant parts. They also can chew fruit and young plant bark.
The brown garden snail, Cornu aspersum (formerly Helix aspersa), is the most common snail causing problems in California gardens. It was introduced from France during the 1850s for use as food. Another troublesome snail is the white garden snail, Theba pisana.
Several species of slugs also cause damage including the gray garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum, formerly Agriolimax meticulatus), the banded slug (Lehmannia poirieri), the three-band garden slug (L. valentiana), the tawny slug (Limacus flavus), and the greenhouse slug (Milax gagates).
Source (including image of tawny slug on ripe strawberry): UC IPM OnlineJack Kelly Clark, ANR Communication Services, principal photographer
PEST RATING PROPOSALS:
⇒ BIVALVIA
⇒ GASTROPODA
PEST RATINGS:
⇒ BIVALVIA
Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker): Golden mussel
Pest Rating: A
⇒ GASTROPODA
Allopeas clavulinum (Potiez & Michaud): spike awlsnail
Pest Rating: B
Banded Wood Snail: Cepaea nemoralis
Pest Rating: A
Chinese Slug: Meghimatium bilineatum (Benson)
Pest Rating: A
Cochlicella barbara (Linnaeus): Small pointed snail
Pest Rating: C
Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich): giant African snail
Pest Rating: A
A Semi-Slug: Parmarion martensi (Simroth)
Pest Rating: A
Veronicella cubensis (L. Pfeiffer): Leatherleaf slug
Pest Rating: A
⇒ SNAILS
Cuban Brown Snail: Zachrysia provisoria (Pfeiffer)
Pest Rating: A
Small Pointed Snail: Cochlicella barbara (Linnaeus)
Pest Rating: B
Xerotricha conspurcata (Draparnaud)
Pest Rating: C
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