Black keeled slug

The black-keeled slug grows to 40-60 mm in length and has a uniform grey to black body colour. This species has a prominent ridge (keel) running along the mid-dorsal line, from the mantle to the tip of the tail. They attack all crops and pastures, however young canola seedlings are particularly vulnerable. Black-keeled slugs feed on the soil surface, as well as below the ground where they burrow down and attack germinating seeds. Heavy soil types, summer rains and reduce tillage are all factors which promote the build up of slug populations. This species is of relatively greater importance in drier areas, such as South Australia and western Victoria.