NAKHLA, J., RIZK, M., TADROS, A. (1995). HOST PREFERENCE OF LAND SNAILS AS INDICATED BY PLANT CELLS IN THEIR EXCREMENT. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 73(1), 95-110. doi: 10.21608/ejar.1995.433184
JUZAEF M. NAKHLA; MARGUERITE A. RIZK; ANTWAN W. TADROS. "HOST PREFERENCE OF LAND SNAILS AS INDICATED BY PLANT CELLS IN THEIR EXCREMENT". Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 73, 1, 1995, 95-110. doi: 10.21608/ejar.1995.433184
NAKHLA, J., RIZK, M., TADROS, A. (1995). 'HOST PREFERENCE OF LAND SNAILS AS INDICATED BY PLANT CELLS IN THEIR EXCREMENT', Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 73(1), pp. 95-110. doi: 10.21608/ejar.1995.433184
NAKHLA, J., RIZK, M., TADROS, A. HOST PREFERENCE OF LAND SNAILS AS INDICATED BY PLANT CELLS IN THEIR EXCREMENT. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1995; 73(1): 95-110. doi: 10.21608/ejar.1995.433184
HOST PREFERENCE OF LAND SNAILS AS INDICATED BY PLANT CELLS IN THEIR EXCREMENT
Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Different vegetative matters are subjected to land snail infestation. In Egypt, the food preference of some land snail species was determined through Microscopic Examination Technique of plant cells found in their excrement. The dominating snail species and all fruit trees and plants as well as weeds in an orange orchard at Beheira governorate were recorded. During December 1992, January and February 1993, slides of each plant cells were prepared and photographed. Numbers of plant cells found in excrement of each specific snail species were counted, and classified according to each specific plant. The Relative Importance Value (R.I.V.) of plant cell type was calculated for each snail species excrement to determine each snail food preference. Results indicated significant food preference of banana plants for Eobania vermiculata (R.I.V. = 45.5 %), banana plants and orange trees for Helicella vestalis (R.I.V. = 40.1 and 33.7 96, respectively), the weed, Medicago polymorpha for Theba pisana (R.I.V. = 19.0 96) and orange trees for Rurnina decollata (R.I.V. — 48.0 %).