Pleurodiscidae

Affected crops: These pests display a polyphagous feeding behavior, targeting a wide range of plants. They primarily damage leafy vegetables, seedlings, strawberries, and ornamental flowers. In nurseries, they can cause total economic loss by grazing on the delicate meristematic tissue of young sprouts.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of Pleurodiscidae is strictly moisture-dependent. As hermaphroditic organisms, they possess a high reproductive potential, allowing them to establish large populations rapidly. They exhibit nocturnal behavior, spending daylight hours buried in damp soil, under leaf litter, or within debris to minimize water loss.

Character of damage and harm: The primary harm is caused by the rasping of plant tissues with their radula, resulting in large, irregular holes in leaves and stems. Extensive grazing can strip foliage, leading to plant dehydration and susceptibility to secondary infections, ultimately reducing crop yield and aesthetic quality for market distribution.

• Sanitation practices, including the removal of hiding spots and organic debris.
• Strategic irrigation management to reduce micro-habitats favorable for snails.
• Deployment of physical barriers, such as copper tape or crushed shells.
• Application of iron phosphate-based molluscicides for targeted control.