Latin: Arion lusitanicu
The Portuguese slug, with the Latin name Arion lusitanicu, is a species of air-breathing land slug.
Appearance
The Portuguese slug may look like a black forest slug for confusion, except that the portuguese slug has a different color. The portuguese slug has a characteristic reddish color, where the black forest snail is of course black. It is an elongated slug without a house, and its hind body is wrinkled. The front body is smooth, and it has two eyes on the “head”. Like other slugs, the portuguese slug leaves a slimy trail behind wherever it is.
Biology and behavior
The portuguese slug quickly got its nickname, the killer snail, because it simply rages both gardens and nature. The portuguese slug is especially unpopular with homeowners who have decorative plants and kitchen gardens, as the slug eats its way through all this planting relentlessly. Likewise, the portuguese slug has created a lot of havoc, as it does not have a natural enemy in the Danish nature. Therefore, it is a danger to the overall food chain, as it can upset the balance in several ecosystems with its mere presence.
The portuguese slug is also more aggressive than its Danish cousin, the black forest snail. Therefore, there is a fear that the portuguese slug will replace the black forest snail both by stealing food and by hybridizing, ie mating, with the black forest snail. However, as it is considered to be invasive, one may do as he pleases when it comes to pest control, if one has noticed that there are particularly many of them in one place.
Damage
Danes mainly know the portuguese slug as the land plague that ravages all kitchen gardens and destroys virtually all decorative plants that it comes in contact with. Although the portuguese slug can be a great nuisance to private individuals, the real danger to them is of course when they invade wild, Danish nature. However, the Danish Forest and Nature Agency has been very aware of the portuguese slug, and therefore the broad Danish population has received a lot of information over the last many years.
Thus, it has also been possible for interest groups and citizen groups to enter into partnerships with various authorities, so that it can be easier to fight the slug in public nature, such as parks and forest areas.
Invasive species
No matter what, the portuguese slug is considered non-native, which means that it has recently been introduced to Danish nature. As it has also done some damage to Danish nature, it has been established that it is an invasive species. The portuguese slug has only been in Denmark since the early 1990s, and to begin with, it was a rarity to find it. Nowadays, however, it is easier to find them out in nature, especially when it has recently been raining.
Read more about invasive species on the Danish Nature Agency’s website.
Prevention and pest control
Overall, there are two ways to get rid of the portuguese slug when you notice it in your garden. The first method is most deadly, and it is quite simple to grasp a shovel, a shovel or a similar sharp garden tool and chop the snail in half. But if you do not have the courage for this method, you can also use the so-called “dry soil” method or make a snail fence. However, one must be aware that these methods also will influence the Danish, black forest snail. Of course, the black forest snail can also be an annoyance in your garden, but if you want to be a friend of nature, you should as far as possibly choose out of methods that prevent both snail species from your garden. Then you do not risk challenging an already challenged species.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)