Bug Identifier
Field Slug / Grey Field Slug
Community identification

Field Slug / Grey Field Slug

Deroceras reticulatum

Order & Family
Order: Stylommatophora, Family: Agriolimacidae
Size
35 mm to 50 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, fields, and damp areas with abundant vegetation; often found in leafy greens or under garden debris.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; feeds on a wide variety of plants, including vegetables, seedlings, and decaying organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and moisture-dependent; they produce defensive mucus when disturbed and are hermaphroditic, laying clusters of translucent eggs in damp soil.

Risks & Benefits

A major agricultural pest that can damage crops and garden plants. They can carry parasites like Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), so they should not be consumed and hands should be washed after contact.