Bait Registered under Section 24(c) to Manage Slugs & Snails on Soybeans in K
Slugs & Snails
DR. RAUL T. VILLANUEVA
PRINCETON, KENTUCKY
During the last couple of years, slugs and snails have become serious pests of soybeans in many areas of the North Central U.S., including Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. These mollusks feed on germinating seeds until the V0to V4growth stages of soybean plants. Typically, cotyledons (Figure 1) and unifoliate leaves are damaged; however, when the apical meristem is destroyed, the plant growth is totally thwarted causing plant death (Figure 2). Outbreaks of mollusks can reduce plant densities, and there is no rescue treatment when this occurs. Replanting is the only option for commercial soybean farmers when damage to plant stands is severe. However, if farmers scout in the spring, they can use metaldehyde baits as a preventative control management practice.
Metaldehyde Baits & Scouting
Recently, Deadline® M-Ps™ (metaldehyde) was registered in Kentucky to be used in soybeans under FIFRA 24(c) special local needs (SLN). Although there is no threshold for slugs, scouting should be conducted before spreading the metaldehyde baits. Scouting for mollusks may be conducted after rains and on foggy days with cool temperatures in order find slugs or snails early in the morning, or scout just before or after sunset. The applications of baits should follow the manufacturer’s directions. ∆
DR. RAUL T. VILLANUEVA: Entomology Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky