Huge Orange Slugs!

Lots of them. Talking with a friend in the village, it struck us[1] that
we've seen a significant increase in numbers of large orange/red slugs
(seemingly the _Arion rufus_ shown in the Hamlyn guide to Snails of
Britain and Europe). We're on the Chalk; usually snails do most damage
in the garden, but this year we're sure we've seen fewer snails and
many, many more Huge Orange Slugs (like Great Balls of Fire, but cold
and slimy and fond of radishes). Has anyone else noticed this? Any
thoughts on the reason, other than increasing frequency of mild winters?

regards
sarah

[1] Where better than Usenet to make a hideous confession? I am the
Death of Molluscs, at least in our garden. Armed with torch and sharp
knife I patrol the garden as dusk falls, despatching them to whatever
life-after-death may hold for a mollusc. Doesn't bear thinking of, does
it? Snails are more difficult -- I hate the sound of breaking shells, at
least underfoot -- so in desperation I began to fling handfuls over the
fence onto the road to be crushed by passing cars. I listen for oncoming
cars, of course, as I wouldn't want a sudden rain of snails to puzzle a
motorist. One evening the handful arced up and out ('whhhhheeeee', they
gleefully shout), followed by a 'pock' and a shout of "What the
helll..." dopplering into the distance. I'd scored a direct hit on a
passing cyclist. I must be more careful in future. Mind you, I'd have
thought the thin layer of snail glistening in the streetlights would
have warned them something was up.

--
Think of it as evolution in action.

	#1
sarah	Huge Orange Slugs! Lots of them. Talking with a friend in the village, it struck us[1] that we've seen a significant increase in numbers of large orange/red slugs (seemingly the _Arion rufus_ shown in the Hamlyn guide to Snails of Britain and Europe). We're on the Chalk; usually snails do most damage in the garden, but this year we're sure we've seen fewer snails and many, many more Huge Orange Slugs (like Great Balls of Fire, but cold and slimy and fond of radishes). Has anyone else noticed this? Any thoughts on the reason, other than increasing frequency of mild winters? regards sarah [1] Where better than Usenet to make a hideous confession? I am the Death of Molluscs, at least in our garden. Armed with torch and sharp knife I patrol the garden as dusk falls, despatching them to whatever life-after-death may hold for a mollusc. Doesn't bear thinking of, does it? Snails are more difficult -- I hate the sound of breaking shells, at least underfoot -- so in desperation I began to fling handfuls over the fence onto the road to be crushed by passing cars. I listen for oncoming cars, of course, as I wouldn't want a sudden rain of snails to puzzle a motorist. One evening the handful arced up and out ('whhhhheeeee', they gleefully shout), followed by a 'pock' and a shout of "What the helll..." dopplering into the distance. I'd scored a direct hit on a passing cyclist. I must be more careful in future. Mind you, I'd have thought the thin layer of snail glistening in the streetlights would have warned them something was up. -- Think of it as evolution in action.