Arion hortensis / distinctus

Garden slugs are among the most commonest and most widely spread slug species. The distribution areas of the two species overlap partly, but Arion distinctus has a broader distribution area. It covers western and central Europe and has been introduced to Northern America.

The two species of garden slugs can be found in human-made habitats as gardens and cultivated fields but also in urban areas, bush habitats and deciduous forests. They live in the leaf litter or in crevices in the ground.

Horticultural crops in humid climates, mainly tubers or strawberries and seedlings of brassica. In mild winters garden slugs can be responsible for the underground loss of autumn sown winter wheat by hollowed grains.

Feeding on tubers and seedlings, hollowing seeds.

Seedlings and young plants can be severely damaged, as the slugs show high activity during springtime. Later in the year, root crops, such as beets and carrots can be damaged by eating holes and leading to bacterial rotting.

Garden slug densities are not easy to estimate, as they live hidden in the ground and live nocturnal. A method of prevention is to reduce the favourable habitats where Garden slugs live and reproduce, i.e., disturbing the soil by tillage reduces garden slug abundance.

Garden slugs are eaten by ground beetles and their larvae, as well as by some bird species.