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

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

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.