Garden-devouring snails in super speed
Gardens can be torn apart by a snail invasion. Following two years of non-stop rain, these creatures become a major issue. Vegetables, especially young plants, are targeted by a ravenous type that leaves amateur gardeners with nothing but despair. Not even raised beds are spared.
This topic has been fiercely debated in gardening forums for weeks: precious seedlings are devoured overnight by naked snails. It's said these creatures are out of control this year - a claim verified by experts. "Yes, it's bad this year," confirmed Michael Schrödl from Munich's Zoological State Collection (ZSM).
"After the drought years 2018 to 2022, which resulted in diminished populations, we're now facing the second consecutive wet year", stated Markus Pfenninger from the Biodiversity and Climate Research Center in Frankfurt. Populations had recovered last year and could therefore release themselves at a high rate this year. The mild winter didn't hurt them - only extremely cold winters have had a lasting impact, according to their observations.
The culprit could be the Spanish snail, also known as the Large Slug or Arion vulgaris. Believed to be introduced by Spanish fruit and vegetable imports after World War II, it's recently been discovered that this species has been residing in Southwest Germany for years, if not much longer. The name is deceptive and leads to confusion.
The Magnificent Arion vulgaris
Frequently mistaken for a Spanish species, Arion vulgaris is a formidable foe for gardeners. The brownish-red snails can tackle steep surfaces, render raised beds redundant, climb down from heights using slime strands, and effortlessly dine on lettuce and veggies. They can even brave the sun for a meal.
Unlike other native snails, dry lawns and gravel paths don't disrupt Arion vulgaris. It's been found to reproduce rapidly, consume voraciously and forage in extreme conditions. And for added resilience, it mates with other species and potentially gains new beneficial traits for its environment. Few predators attack adults, with only some beetles feeding on young slugs or their eggs.
Numerous gardeners are trapped by this issue, collecting up to hundreds of snails daily. Per Pfenninger, part of the issue may be reduced numbers of juvenile snail predators like hedgehogs and frogs. As Schrödl puts it, "Arion vulgaris is a beneficiary of the solitude in the gardens".
One remedy often mentioned is the beer trap, which uses beer to lure the snails. However, this tactic attracts snails from all around, most of which escape.
Some practical solutions include watering plants in the morning, installing snail fences around gardens, and drying out potential egg-laying sites. Squashing the snails is also an option, but Schrödl warns against releasing them in the wild, as they could displace native species.
Despite the trouble they cause, these super-snails offer a benefit to gardening, as they consume feces and speed up composting processes.
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- In light of the climate change we're experiencing, nature conservation efforts have become increasingly important, as extreme weather conditions are often favorable for invasive species like the Spanish snail, Arion vulgaris.
- Educational programs in botany and zoology should include information on pest management, as the rapid reproduction and voracious appetite of pests like Arion vulgaris can significantly impact agricultural and horticultural practices.
- Research on animal behavior and population dynamics can provide valuable insights into controlling the spread of invasive species, such as understanding how the mild winter and wet conditions have contributed to the increased population of Arion vulgaris in Southwest Germany.
Source: www.ntv.de
