Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Black slugs feasting on Delosperma

The gastropods thrived during the wet weather spell that haunted Denmark a couple of weeks ago – especially black slugs (Arion ater) were abundant in my area. The slugs seem to have a preference for the turgid, succulent leaves of Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, 2900m, Lesotho), grazing off large parts of the plant.

Two black slugs feasting on Delosperma
Two black slugs feasting on Delosperma

I don’t know if the slugs don’t find the Delosperma nubigenum flowers palatable or if the attention of the leftmost slug was otherwise diverted.

A close escape - the flower survives
A close escape - the flower survives

Anyway, the flower escaped being eaten and I removed the slugs from the plant just after taking the above pictures.

Fortunately the weather has dried up considerably, forcing the slugs and snails into hiding.

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