Species diversity and population dynamics of the prevailing land gastropod species on certain crops at Assiut governorate, Egypt

A study was carried out to identify the land gastropod species infesting different host plants and their population dynamics of predominant species at some localities belonging to four districts at Assiut governorate, Egypt. Results revealed that there were five terrestrial snails (Monacha obstructa, Eobania vermiculata, Oxyloma elegans, Cochlicella acuta and Helicodiscus singleyanus inermis) and three slug species (Lehmannia valentiana, Limax flavus and Deroceras leave). These species belonging to seven families of order: Stylommatophora. The snail, M. obstructa was the predominant species, as it was recorded in most of the investigated sites on numerous plants and appeared with high numbers on the majority of vegetable and field crops. Also, C. acuta was recorded for the first time in Sedfa and Assiut districts. Regarding population dynamics, it was found that Egyptian clover infested with high numbers of M. obstructa snails, followed by cabbage and wheat during spring months as compared with winter and autumn months. Accordingly, these results may contribute to designing an appropriate program to control these pests and reduce their damages.