Two-choice experiments on prey preferences of a generalist predator Pterostichus melanarius, and five species of slug prey, were conducted in the laboratory. Different preferences of P. melanarius for each of the slug species are described. They are interpreted as the outcome of differing slug species-specific defence mechanisms. The influence of hunger level, temperature, day/light period, condition of slugs and beetles, weight of slugs and beetles, and the sex of beetles were controlled experimentally or statistically. The order of slug species preference for predation by P. melanarius was: Deroceras reticulatum (Agriolimacidae), Malacolimax tenellus, Lehmania marginata (Limacidae), Arion distinctus and A. subfuscus (Arionidae). Efficiency of slugs' species-specific defence mechanisms reflected their phylogeny. Defence mechanisms of slugs from the superfamily Arionoidea were significantly more effective at deterring an attack of non-specialised ground beetles than the defence mechanisms of slugs from Limacoidea superfamily. P. melanarius significantly preferred Agriolimacidae to Limacidae, and Limacidae to Arionidae. Slug species was the strongest factor influencing prey preferences of P. melanarius amongst slug prey. Surprisingly, this preference was much more significant than the slug weight. Weight and sex of P. melanarius had no impact on its prey preference.
Slugs are important pests of many agricultural crops, especially oilseed rape. The carabid beetles Pterostichus melanarius Illiger and Poecilus cupreus L. are among the most abundant large carabid beetles of European arable land and were therefore explored as potential slug antagonists. Damage to oilseed rape caused by the slugs Deroceras reticulatum Müller and D. laeve Müller in the presence or absence of P. melanarius and P. cupreus was observed in the laboratory. Whereas P. cupreus failed to reduce damage to oilseed rape by D. reticulatum, P. melanarius significantly reduced slug damage. However, P. melanarius was unable to protect oilseed rape from damage by D. laeve. This can be explained by the fact that D. laeve caused damage to oilseed rape below ground, where P. melanarius did not encounter the slugs. According to our laboratory experiments P. melanarius has the potential to reduce slug damage to oilseed rape by D. reticulatum.