Slugs

Slugs are shell-less mollusks related to snails.

They occasionally damage field corn, especially in wet, weedy areas of fields in cool, moist springs. Problems are likely to be worse in no-tillage corn or in fields previously in sod. Slugs feed at night, chewing irregular holes through the leaves and leaving slimy trails. As the corn gets taller and fields dry out, damage should become minimal. No chemicals are currently available for the control of slugs.

More Information

• IPM for Insect Pests of Field Corn - a free Moodle course from the NYS IPM Program
• Banded Slug Fact Sheet from the NYS IPM Program (PDF)
• Gray Garden Slug Fact Sheet from the NYS IPM Program (PDF)
• Marsh Slug Fact Sheet from the NYS IPM Program (PDF)
• Spotted Garden Slug Fact Sheet from the NYS IPM Program (PDF)