View source for Annals of Applied Biology (2017) 170, 251-262

{{Publication
|Publication authors=H. El-Danasoury, C. Cerecedo, M. Córdoba and J. Iglesias-Piñeiro
|Publication date=2017
|dc:title=Predation by the carabid beetle ''[[Harpalus rufipes (predator)|Harpalus rufipes]]'' on the pest slug ''[[Deroceras reticulatum]]'' in the laboratory
|Publication journal=Annals of Applied Biology
|prism:volume=170 (2)
|prism:startingPage=251
|Last page=262
|DOI=10.1111/aab.12337
|Publication abstract=The Harpalini species ''Harpalus rufipes'', as many other generalist carabids, consume a wide variety of prey and it is known to feed on pest slugs such as the grey field slug ''Deroceras reticulatum'', but quantitative data about the predatory activity of ''H. rufipes'' on slugs are very scarce. In laboratory experiments, we assessed the capability of male ''H. rufipes'' to kill eggs and different-sized slugs of the pest species ''D. reticulatum'' in either the absence or the presence of alternative live prey (dipteran larvae and aphids). We also investigated the preference of ''H. rufipes'' for eggs and hatchlings of ''D. reticulatum'' in a choice experiment. ''H. rufipes'' killed considerable amounts of eggs and small juveniles (<5.0 mg) of ''D. reticulatum'', both in no-choice and in choice situations. Medium-sized juvenile slugs (10–20 mg) were seldom killed only in no-choice situations, and no large juveniles (50–60 mg) were killed. Dipteran larvae and aphids were killed also in no-choice and in choice situations. The type of alternative prey presented with slug eggs affected the survival of the eggs to ''H. rufipes'' predation. The presence of dipteran larvae as alternative prey did not affect the survival of juvenile slugs. When eggs and small juvenile slugs were offered together, the survivals of both items were similar. The obtained results under laboratory conditions suggest that the generalist predator ''H. rufipes'' might realise an important contribution to the control of pest slugs.
|AbstractCC=Yes
|Research topic=biocontrol - natural enemies
|Benf research=general biology - morphology - evolution
|Is book=No
}}
{{Pest record
|Pest=Deroceras reticulatum
|Quarantined=No
}}
{{Beneficial record
|Beneficial=Harpalus rufipes (predator)
|Pest=Deroceras reticulatum
}}