Tiger slugs not only attract attention with their interesting body markings, but are also considered beneficial against slugs. We present the special garden dwellers here.
When a large, tabby slug appears in the garden, some gardeners first worry about their heads of lettuce. But a second look is worthwhile: The tiger slug (Limax maximus) is also called a tiger slug. This article explains what a tiger slug is, how it lives and whether it is actually useful against slugs in the garden.
Tiger Slug: Appearance and Habitat
As the name suggests, the tiger slug has a striking pattern. On a brown-grey background there is a black tiger pattern on the rear half of the body, which merges into a leopard pattern towards the animal's head. In English, the species is therefore also called "leopard slug". With a body length of up to 20 cm, the tiger slug is one of the largest native slug species alongside the black slug (Limax cinereoniger). The sole of the tiger slug is white and the breathing hole is located behind the center of the mantle shield. A confusion of the tiger slug with less useful or even poisonous snail species is unlikely due to the characteristic appearance. As a successor to culture, the tiger slug can be found in parks, cemeteries, damp basements - or in the garden.
Slug or snail: Slugs (Limacidae) belong to the snail family and are actually a family of slugs. They are native to Europe, although some species are now found worldwide. The position of the breathing hole on the coat shield is used to distinguish between slugs and snails. In slugs the breathing hole is always behind the middle of the mantle shield, in snails it is to the right in front of the middle of the mantle shield.
The slug family also includes the field slug family with the slug family (Deroceras reticulatum) as a representative and the slug family with the Spanish slug familySlug (Arion vulgaris).
By the way: In the case of tiger slugs, mating is a particularly spectacular event in their two to three-year life. If two slugs ready to mate are found, they crawl to an elevated, vertical one Place to crawl there in a tight circle and secrete slime. After a while, the slugs entwine and abseil down a slime thread that is up to 40 cm long. Fertilization takes place at this dizzy height. Then one of the animals drops to the ground while the other crawls back up the slime thread. The colorless eggs are laid in irregular clusters between June and September.
Tiger slug as a useful creature in the garden
The tiger slug is often praised and even sold as a valuable insect against slugs in the garden. However, some gardeners see it as useless and even report that the tiger slug feasts on lettuce and vegetables just like its unwanted relatives. What is correct now? Does the tiger snail eat other snails or not? A look at the varied diet of the slug provides relief.
Does the tiger slug eat snails?
Yes, the tiger slug eats snail eggs, small slugs of other species, or injured and dead slugs. As a rule, he does not become cannibalistic. However, his diet also includes mushrooms, carrion and dead plant remains.
Regardless of its size, the tiger slug eats slug eggs and very rarely eats fresh plant matter. Thus, tiger slugs are to be classified as beneficial insects in the garden. And if one of the animals does bite into the lettuce, you should be lenient - after all, the tiger slug keeps its much more voracious relatives in check.
A plague of snails cannot be de alt with by the tiger slug alone. However, a mitigation and stabilization of the slug population - especially due to egg eating - is to be expected.
Are tiger slugs dangerous? No, the tiger slug is non-toxic to humans and pets and can be handled without hesitation. The tiger slug only becomes dangerous to other snails.
Attracting tiger slugs and introducing them to the garden
The animals usually appear in the garden all by themselves. Wherever suitable shelter and food are made available, the resident animals can easily settle down. Heaps of branches or stones, compost or lying roof tiles serve as shelter options. Since dead plant remains are an important food source for the slugs, they can be left as mulch, for example.
Buying tiger slugs is possible, but only makes sense if no specimens are found in the garden despite the structures mentioned.
A dry stone wall can also provide a habitat for the tiger slug. Many other native animals and plants can also settle here, which increases the biodiversity in the garden.