Evaluation of palatability of 20 plant species as a food source for slugs Deroceras reticulatum (Mi.iller), Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) and Arion ruf us (Linnaeus) was performed under laboratory conditions in tests with multiple choices and without choice. Rate and degree of damage of seedlings and leaves of matured plants of herbs and winter oilseed rape were calculated. Based on conducted experiments, plant species preferred and rejected by particular slug species were defined. Plants that were preferred by all examined slug species were the following: Brassica napus, Conium maculatum and Lamium amplexicaule. Rejected plants were Polygonum nodosum and Plantago lanceolata. Slugs have showed differentiated preferences towards the remaining plant species.

Studies on palatability of some commom weed species, herbaceous plants and oilseed rape to D. reticulatum, A. lusitanicus and A. rufus slugs have been carried out under laboratory conditions. In food choice trials the rate and degree of damage to seedlings and leaf disks were determined for 20 plant species. The conducted experiments have also permitted to establish, which plant species were preferred or were not accepted by particular slug species. It was found that the studied slug species preferred seedlings and leaves of Brassica napus and Papaver rhoeas, but showed no preference for Epilobium hirsutum, Geranium sanguineum and Saponaria officinalis plants. As to the remaining plant species under study, the preferences exhibited by particular slug species were quite diverse.