Taking slug pictures

Let’s face it, identifying slugs can be hard. To begin with there are a bunch of similar looking species which can only be separated by dissection. And you look at the genitalia, so you have to be working with adult slugs. But don’t fret, many species or species groups can be identified from a good picture. A good picture can go a long way towards an ID without having the slug in hand. Here are some tips.

Take notes

Where and when you found the slug is important. As is what you saw it feeding on, and if there were others slugs around. If you don’t have a GPS don’t worry, our Pest Reporter page allows to to put a pin on a map where you saw the animal.

Why an identification matters

Knowing what species are occurring where and when tells us a lot about the distribution of the species, and what other factors may be affecting them. It also informs us on possible ways to control them if they are being a pest.

Sending in specimens

Sometimes it’s necessary to have a slug in hand and dissect it to correctly identify it. Slugs can be humanly killed by placing them in a small plastic container filled to the brim with water spiked with ethyl alcohol to about 20 proof, or 10%. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) can also be used, both types are readily available in the first aid section of most grocers. Cheap vodka also works similarly. A drop of dish soap will help them to sink. The alcohol sedates the slug and they eventually drown. They should be left in the small plastic container for 24 hours to ensure they have died. Once dispatched the slug should be transferred to a jar of 75% alcohol and placed in the freezer for preservation. This method preserves the slug in a way that the DNA is protected should it be needed for ID, and also leaves the slug relaxed which is preferable for dissection.

Slugs can be shipped by placing them in a leak proof jar or pill vial just larger than the animal and packed with cotton saturated with the 75% alcohol. This way there is no liquid with the slug, and it keeps them preserved. The jar or vial should be packed in a ziplock with some paper towels for padding and packed securely in a small box. Slugs can be sent to:

Jozef Slowik 
Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center
1509 S Georgeson Dr
Palmer AK, 99645